'The Angry Birds Movie': Colourful and engaging (IANS Movie Review, Rating: **1/2)

Film: "The Angry Birds Movie"; Directors: Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly; Voice-overs: Jason Sudeikus, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, Peter Dinklage, Keegan-Michael Key and Sean Penn; Rating: **1/2

"Angry Birds" that started off as a video game way back in 2009 has finally been launched as a film and will soon become a franchise.

This animated film in 3D from Sony's stable shoehorns itself into the kids' entertainment arena unabashedly with its colourful and delightfully mesmerising palette.

Directors Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly have done their best to rehash the game into a crafted narrative. With a redemption story, set in an island, they have introduced Red (Jason Sudeikis), a flightless bird with anger management issues. Red is a misfit in his society. He can't; hold a job, keep friends or control his temper.

The narration begins with Red hired as a clown for a birthday party arrives late. Instead of apologising, he lands up fighting with his client and soon is sent to an anger management class conducted by Matilda (Maya Rudolph). Here, he meets Chuck (Josh Gad), Bomb (Danny McBride) and Terence (Sean Penn).

They soon bond together to form a team, while trying to work out their deep-seated rage issues.

Meanwhile, the bird island gets some visitors; a group of green pigs led by Leonard (Bill Hader). Red is the only one who doubts the visitors' intention and he is proved right when the pigs steal the bird's eggs.

Their quest to rescue the eggs from the evil pigs, forms the crux of the story. To enhance the tale, Red approaches the Mighty Eagle (Peter Dinklage), the only bird on the island who can fly, though no one has seen or heard from him in years.

The plot of this film is simple and uncomplicated. Interspersed with little lessons of bonding and survival, every character in the film's universe is constantly grappling for attention and laughs. It is funny in spots, especially when knocking down pig-city.

The voices lent by the star cast suit the characters to perfection.

Visually, the computer generated animated images are marvellous. The birds and pigs are perfectly anthropomorphized. The animators have painstakingly ensured that each character is well-chiselled. Their facial expressions sync well with emotions. There are plenty of moments that would mesmerize you.

Over all, the film does serve the purpose for which it was created. It keeps the kids and fans of the games entertained for a brief span of its run time. Adults may find this film tedious to view.

--IANS

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