Chicken Little MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +3 Content: +4

When Chicken Little (voice by Zach Braff) rings the school bell to alert Oakleys townspeople, or more accurately townsanimals, that the sky is falling, he becomes the laughing stock of the livestock in this animated comedyadventure. Everyone except Abby Mallard (Joan Cusack), Runt of the Litter (Steve Zahn) and Fish Out of Water (no voice) doubts his story and assumes hes cracked up. When not even his father, Buck Cluck (Garry Marshall), believes him, Little decides to follow his dads lead and make the next day a new day. Unfortunately, every new day brings seemingly insurmountable challenges, reminding Little that he doesnt fit in at school or measure up at home. Just about the time things start looking up, the sky falls again, leaving this poultry to face no paltry tasks getting his disappointed father to believe in him, convincing his doubting community that hes telling the truth and saving a new friend whos far from home.

Chicken Little is a simple movie that younger kids will probably enjoy watching. It encourages kids to champion the underdog or, in this case, the size-challenged chicken to press on in the face of adversity and to keep talking to their parents even when it seems theyll never listen. And, it reminds parents to believe in their kids and to try to understand what they are saying when it doesnt seem to make sense. As good as the movies message may be, it will likely leave older kids and adults wanting more. The disappointing storyline creates a tension that is too quickly resolved, and its animation doesnt come close to other film favorites. Despite these shortcomings, Chicken Little scores big in the acceptability category for its family-friendly content and positive messages.

Preview Reviewer: Suzanne Keffer
Distributor: Walt Disney