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From Left to Right (Top): Leonard (Bill Hader), Mighty Eagle (Peter Dinklage) and Bomb (Danny McBride)
From Left to Right (Bottom): Courtney (Awkwafina), Chuck (Josh Gad), Silver (Rachel Bloom) and Red (Jason Sudeikis). |
Video Game movies don't have a good reputation; awful adaptions at worst, guilty pleasures at best. Out of this arcade cavalcade,
The Angry Birds Movie is shockingly the best video-game based movie. It's by no means good, (I'd rank it at a
C grade) but compared to its pixelated predecessors, it's a masterpiece. A passable plot, decent protagonist, funny antagonist, and best of all, carrying what made the app fun from its zippy and bright energy including the signature slingshot. What weighs it down are the annoying side characters and obnoxious humor; most of which I'm surprised they allowed in a children's movie.
No longer an outcast and now the town hero, Red (Jason Sudeikis) enjoys his days with Chuck (Josh Gad) and Bomb (Danny McBride) by pranking their porky opponents and hoggy leader Leonard (Bill Hader). When a icy threat lead by an icy eagle (Leslie Jones) endangers Pig and Bird island, Red and Leonard form a piggy and birdie alliance to save their homes.
Even with the release of
Detective Pikachu earlier this year,
Angry Birds 2 retains the crown as the best video game movie and being better than its predecessor. (Again, not saying much when you look at the competition). Courtesy of Thurop Van Orman (creator of Catoon Network's
The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack) who shares directing duties on making this motion picture more nonsensical.
Red continues to be the best character among its hyper active and slightly less annoying cast. More of his past is revealed, explaining his cynical and selfish demeanor. Bonus points on sharing my reaction toward his co-star's shenanigans and incompetence. Mighty Eagle (Peter Dinklage) is also given more back-story that ties in with the icy isle revealed to be his old home. Former foes now frenemies, Leonard and his piggy crew, surprisingly take in a new leaf. You would think this would spar trust issues but its quickly resolved in less than minute. Whether this means eggs are off their diet remains unanswered. There's even a sub-plot that have three hatchlings trying to save some eggs that could have worked as a short but is utilized to pad out the run-time until the climax. I will say the pay-off is rather earned.
The movie features quite the celebrity ensemble. Maya Rudolph, Tony Hale, and Anthony Padilla are the only supporting players to reprise their roles from the first film but no Sean Penn. Awkwafina and Sterling K. Brown voice Courtney and Garry, the two pigs who assist Leonard on the mission who despite good voice work, the characters are given little to do. Over at Eagle Island, Tiffany Haddish voices Debbie who provides company to the main villianess Zeta, and Eugenio Derbez had me chuckling as Glenn, Zeta's top scientist. Of the cameos there is Dove Cameron (
Descendants), Zach Woods (
Silicon Valley), Lil Rel Howery (
Get Out), Nikki Minaj (doing a British accent), and Alex Hirsch (Creator of
Gravity Falls) to name a few.
As Zeta, Jones brings in a maniacal energy that makes her a delight to watch; funny while still being threatening. When her motivations are revealed, can you blame her for having an ice cold heart?
What really makes the movie is Rachel Bloom as Silver, Chuck's peppy and brainy sister. Among her birdbrained band, she is the one character who is selfless, humble, smart and competent. Take note
Tommorrowland, Dumbo (2019) and
Men in Black International, this is how you write a STEM character. We see her utilize her skills and intelligence and doesn't constantly brag about it. I love how the movie introduces her to Red with both denying that they feel anything for each other. One can guess where this leads but it's adorable to watch. If a third movie is made and focuses on these two, I'm all for it.
The Angry Birds Movie 2 is muddled with its forerunner's bothersome baggage but greatly improves in its character department.
Even if the film isn't to your liking, it's worth the watch for the stunning short that precedes it.
Hair Love, features a young girl trying to comb her hair and gets help from her father. It might sound uneventful but its isn't.
DO NOT MISS IT OR ARRIVE LATE! Let's just say it had this movie watcher in tears. A definite
A+.
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