Summary: Revival in the Animation Coop
– Aardman Studios has continued its distinct style amidst shifting trends in Western animation.
– The British animation studio is lauded for the Chicken Run sequel, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.
– The 23 years span between the releases of the first movie and the sequel emphasized the studio’s persistent focus on its original animation style.
The Great Chicken Escape: A Retelling
Aardman’s Charm: Unplucked
After 23 years, Aardman Studios has whipped up another platter of chicken charm with the sequel to their classic, “Chicken Run.” Despite Western Animation getting a serious face-lift (or should that be beak-lift?), our sturdy British stalwarts have stuck firmly to their style. It’s like they’ve clung onto their clay models and said, “In your face, modernity!”, proving that good taste in animation doesn’t necessarily mean 3D models and explosive CGI.
And now for my hot take…Aardman Studios is proving to be like that one throwback song that you never skip on the playlist. They’ve got ‘old’ in their style, but ‘gold’ in their content. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, shows that this animation house not only rules the roost but ruffles feathers while at it. Like a chicken nugget that’s remained crispy for 23 years, Aardman is a delicious reminder of why we fell in love with 3D stop-motion animation from the very start. Can’t wait to see what else they’re cooking up in the animation kitchen!
© Aardman & Netflix
Revisit the comfort of Aardman‘s stellar animations with their recent release, nearly 23 years after the premiere of the firstChicken Runfilm. The beloved British animation studio offers a nostalgic adventure encapsulated in a plasticine bubble.
However, rebooting iconic chicken-shaped stop-animation characters after two decades could be a tough cluck. As the new franchise must be familiar yet innovative, this creates a fearsome equation for Dawn of the Nugget, that somewhat battles from sequelitis.
With their new island paradise, Ginger and Rocky are back along with their fresh hatchling, Molly. Yet, her curiosity leads to an excursion beyond their free-range paradise and into a chicken nugget factory under the command of the familiar antagonist, Mrs. Tweedy.
© Aardman & Netflix
The first 15 minutes of the film may seem daunting for the fans longing for a genuine evolution of the franchise. There’s a sense of déjà vu with repeated comedy themes and familiar characters, possibly a hiccup for those who have freshly rewatched Chicken Run.
The sequel, however, moves beyond the boundaries to evolve the original film’s dynamics. The fresh ties between Ginger, Rocky and Molly are enchanting, with a plot that enhances the connection between the lead and supporting characters. The mission to rescue Molly from the facility focuses on a smaller crew, instead of a flock based escape plan of the original, providing every character a distinct role in the plot.
Watching the film’s clever heist plan makes for a delightful viewing experience. Characters maneuvering around the wacky security measures of the nugget factory using slapstick humor builds up the entertainment quotient.
Dawn of the Nugget steps up with its ambitious animation, showing the characters navigating their way through advanced security measures and increasingly complicated scenarios. The grand scale of the nugget factory and the external world is convincingly built.
© Aardman & Netflix
The enhanced visuals beautifully complement the narrowly-focused plot. Characters retain their previous charm although they occasionally drop in to deliver a catchphrase. Its fidelity to the original characters clashes with the evolving dynamics, making the film seem like a trip down memory lane rather than an upgrade.
Despite the minor faltering, Aardman’s signature touch still shines through their storytelling. They uphold Chicken Run‘s franchise identity, offering a film that resembles more of a wholesome tribute than an evolution
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will be available on Netflix from December 15. Catch the screening of the film at Manchester Animation Festival tonight at 8:40pm. Further explore the making of the film at The Making of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget tomorrow at 2:15pm and attend the in-person showcase at Meet the Puppets – Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget at 3:30pm.
Rewatch the original Chicken Run in episode 11 of the Skwigly Film Club:
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget-review/