Barnyard: The Original Party Animals

Movie Information

Score:

Genre: Animation
Director: Steve Oedekerk
Starring: Kevin James, Sam Elliot, Courtney Cox, Andie MacDowell, Wanda Sykes
Rated: PG

This anatomically incorrect tale of party animals in the barnyard may be the best CGI-animated flick of the year. It stands out from the herd with clever action, witty dialogue, a fantastic string of musical numbers and some good old-fashioned messages about heroism and taking care of others. I loved it. My critiquing criteria were simple — I wasn’t bored for a single minute and the Saturday afternoon audience I saw it with left the theater happy.

Many film critics have been ranting about Barnyard‘s ridiculous depiction of both girl and boy bovines with udders — pretty awful udders, too, that look like toilet plungers with balloon tips. Oh, get over it. Little kids couldn’t care less. They can differentiate between a make-believe tale and a documentary on Animal Planet. They accept a film’s stupid stuff and just flash forward to the fun parts.

When humans aren’t looking, the farmer’s animals walk on two legs and spend much of their life hiding their upright abilities from the eyes of prying primates. All the domestic critters — the cows, mules, sheep, dogs, mice, pigs, chickens — are really just wild party animals at heart. At night they close the door of the barn and turn it into a rowdy social club — they set up the microphones, pull out the milk bar, ride the “mechanical man,” throw darts at the Colonel Sander’s target, sing and dance like Hollywood hoofers, and do stand-up comedy routines that keep everybody cackling, snorting, neighing and howling with glee.

Ben (Sam Elliot), a brave old bull marked like a Marine in camouflage, tries to make the animals aware of the danger that lurks outside the farm’s fence. He’s concerned that his beloved but immature son Otis (Kevin James) won’t be able to take the mantle of leadership. “A strong man stands up for himself,” he lectures the young bull. “A stronger man stands up for others.”

Ben valiantly dies defending Etta the Hen (Asheville sweetheart Andie MacDowell) and her sisters from a sinister and, for a kids movie, surprisingly sadistic, pack of coyotes. In the current fashion of sanitized violence in PG movies, there’s no blood during Ben’s demise, but even little kids understood the imagery and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Otis is reluctant to step into his father’s big hoofprints and so he continues to act like an irresponsible good ol’ boy. He takes his buddies on hilarious action episodes — they surfboard on an ice block down a mountainside, joyride in a stolen car, and wreak vengeance on human brat boys who indulged in cow-tipping. Enter Daisy (Courtney Cox), a docile girly cow, whose former herd was wiped out by a storm and who is now a widow big with calf. Her friend Bessie (Wanda Sykes), the token dark-skinned, smart-talking cow, doesn’t trust that Otis will be a good adoptive father, no matter how ardently he smooches Daisy under the starry skies. Being a heroic tale, Otis must face his destiny and, in the echo of his father’s words, gather the courage he needs to stand up for others.

Little kids, parents and grandparents will love Barnyard. Unattached adults and older kids might fidget. Sensitive kids should be distracted during the scary coyote scenes. Rated PG for some mild peril and rude humor.

— reviewed by Marcianne Miller

SHARE
About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

2 thoughts on “Barnyard: The Original Party Animals

  1. cat on books

    If you want to research with animals you would need to earn a degree in zoology,biology,wildlife studies,wildlife management,or another closely related field.[url=http://kitty-whisperer.com]cat on books[/url]

  2. Kyle Vansteelandt

    Wait a minute! You gave “Barnyard” four out of five, you gave “Cars” four out of five as well, and you gave “Over the hedge” four in a half out of five. Double check your reviews and ratings. For your opinion, over the hedge is the best CGI animated flick of the year.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.