Movie Review-Barnyard

BARNYARD

MPAA Rating: PG-for some mild peril and rude humor

Genre: Animation, Comedy

Starring: Kevin James, Courteney Cox-Arquette, Sam Elliott, Danny Glover, Andie MacDowell, Wanda Sykes

Being a father of two boys, age 7 and 5, it’s a given that if watching paint dry could somehow be animated we would shell out the bucks to see it. And, as any parent who frequents this genre of film knows, you take your life into your own hands and put your sanity at risk the moment you enter the theater. Imagine a theater full of youngsters juiced up on concession-stand candy, soda, icees and buttered popcorn. Kids, and most parents apparently, find it completely acceptable to talk and scream at the top of their lungs without fear of repercussion. Some even venture to stand up and wander the aisles aimlessly. Combine that with babies (come on parents: just because it’s animated doesn’t mean your 5-month old is going to watch it, much less enjoy it!) crying, screaming and exhibiting every other bodily function imaginable. Exhausted parents are sorely outnumbered in these dens of misery. Actually watching and enjoying the movie become secondary to pure survival and tolerance; at least it is for me and my two perfectly behaved children (wink)!

This was, once again, my experience as we ventured to see the latest in the seemingly endless stream of animated films featuring talking animals acting human-like: “Barnyard.” In the past year moviegoers have been subjected to the likes of “Madagascar”, “Valiant”, “Hoodwinked” and “Doogal.” This summer alone has blessed us with “Ice Age 2: The Meltdown”, “The Wild”, “Over the Hedge” and “The Ant Bully.” Before the year is over, as promised by the three trailers that preceded “Barnyard,” we will be graced with “Open Season”, “Flushed Away” and “Happy Feet”—enough already. I cry uncle.

In “Barnyard,” writer-director Steve Oedekirk (“Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius”, “Bruce Almighty”) tackles the timeless (literally) story of sacrifice and selfless love using barnyard animals as the players. When dim-witted humans are around, these animals act, well, like barnyard animals. When left to themselves they become, as the movie poster exclaims, the “original party animals” (i.e. human): talking, standing upright, dancing, joy-riding and having an all-around good time. Creator of “The Far Side” Gary Larson should sue for theft of intellectual property!

As with any community, the barnyard has its own hierarchy. The older, wiser and responsible segment is represented, seemingly, by one person—er, cow—Ben (Sam Elliot). Ben is the unquestioned leader of the bunch providing strength, wisdom and protection from threats outside (coyotes, man) and inside (recklessness, irresponsibility) the community. Ben lovingly and patiently attempts to show his stubborn, fun-loving son Otis (Kevin James) the foolishness of his ways. “A strong man stands up for himself,” he tells the strong-willed Otis. “A stronger man stands up for others.” Borrowing heavily from other animated tales like “Bambi”, “The Lion King” and “Finding Nemo” the fun and frivolity is underscored by a great deal of heartbreak, tragedy and conflict. In those classic films, the formula works; here, however, it seems contrived and forced.

Of course, everything is neatly wrapped up in a nifty 89 minutes so as to not over-tax the attention-deficit minds of its core audience. To bridge the gap from conflict to resolution, the middle portion of the film is a seemingly endless montage of sight gags, fast-paced chases, loud music and overall barrage of sensory overkill. Sprinkled throughout are enough pop culture references to keep adult minds semi-engaged until we get to the expected resolution.

Along for the ride is the standard love interest, Daisy (Courtney Cox), barnyard sage Miles the Mule (Danny Glover), wise-cracking Bessy (Wanda Sykes) and a smart aleck mouse named Pip (Jeffrey Garcia). Was it just me or was the choice of casting a little peculiar? The two main characters (James and Cox), along with the wise leader (Elliot), were voiced by white actors. The mule, voiced by an African-American (Glover), on the other hand, often used a quick kick to the head to exhibit his strength. Similarly, I half expected the jive-talkin’ Bessy (Sykes) to scream “I don’t know nothin’ ‘bout birthin’ no babies!” as she helped Daisy give birth. Worst of all, was Pip (Garcia) who exhibited every possible Hispanic stereotype in the book. Am I the only one who noticed this?

Despite the flaws and racial stereotypes (real or imagined) “Barnyard” positively communicates a timeless truth. By confronting and conquering his own weaknesses—overcoming guilt and fear of responsibility—Otis realizes, in a sense, that “greater love has no one than this—that he lay down his life for his friends.” As the appointed heir as leader of the barnyard, he learns that “to much is given, much is required”-even if said leadership is not necessarily desired. Valuable lessons, indeed–for children and adults alike.