Holly
08-09-2006, 09:08 AM
Another week, another animated movie.
Family audiences, in particular, aren't likely to be happy with such a lackadaisical approach to the genre. However, the truth is that many of its films were that much more special when there just weren't so many of them. This has been quite the bumper-crop year for them, and right on the heels of “The Ant Bully” comes “Barnyard.”
It's another saga of animals who band together against potential enemies, but this one has the benefit of the unique vision of Steve Oedekirk, the comedian-filmmaker whose skewed views invariably make his projects relatively offbeat. That might seem off-putting to the audience prone to take in a movie like this, but by and large, Oedekirk doesn't go so far off the path that viewers of any age will feel uncomfortable. (Not to say that it's all sanitized, though, especially when it comes to the survival of certain characters.)
The gravel-voiced Sam Elliott (GREAT casting there) and Kevin James, alias TV's “King of Queens,” furnish the words for a father-and-son pair of cows considered the leaders of the animals who reside at the title barnyard. Inevitably, their world is invaded by others, and it takes untapped and sometimes unexpected levels of courage to make things turn out OK.
It's not the most unique plot, admittedly ... but as always, it's in the execution that any computer-animated project has the chance to distinguish itself, particularly when so many of them are around. “Barnyard” succeeds in putting forth enough twists to stand out, with Danny Glover, Courteney Cox and Wanda Sykes also supplying their vocal talents. Using Sam Elliott is the picture's master stroke, though; his voice was just made for this sort of a workout, and he makes the most of using it for the given purpose.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether “Barnyard” becomes one of those animated films that stands the test of time, but it has enough going for it to generate the hope that'll be the long-range outcome.
(Rated PG)
Family audiences, in particular, aren't likely to be happy with such a lackadaisical approach to the genre. However, the truth is that many of its films were that much more special when there just weren't so many of them. This has been quite the bumper-crop year for them, and right on the heels of “The Ant Bully” comes “Barnyard.”
It's another saga of animals who band together against potential enemies, but this one has the benefit of the unique vision of Steve Oedekirk, the comedian-filmmaker whose skewed views invariably make his projects relatively offbeat. That might seem off-putting to the audience prone to take in a movie like this, but by and large, Oedekirk doesn't go so far off the path that viewers of any age will feel uncomfortable. (Not to say that it's all sanitized, though, especially when it comes to the survival of certain characters.)
The gravel-voiced Sam Elliott (GREAT casting there) and Kevin James, alias TV's “King of Queens,” furnish the words for a father-and-son pair of cows considered the leaders of the animals who reside at the title barnyard. Inevitably, their world is invaded by others, and it takes untapped and sometimes unexpected levels of courage to make things turn out OK.
It's not the most unique plot, admittedly ... but as always, it's in the execution that any computer-animated project has the chance to distinguish itself, particularly when so many of them are around. “Barnyard” succeeds in putting forth enough twists to stand out, with Danny Glover, Courteney Cox and Wanda Sykes also supplying their vocal talents. Using Sam Elliott is the picture's master stroke, though; his voice was just made for this sort of a workout, and he makes the most of using it for the given purpose.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether “Barnyard” becomes one of those animated films that stands the test of time, but it has enough going for it to generate the hope that'll be the long-range outcome.
(Rated PG)