Ginger (Julia Sawalha's voice) is a fiesty English hen who has been plotting to escape from the Tweedy Chicken Farm. She can't stand the oppressively "de-chickenizing" working conditions. The wickedly, bottom-line obsessed Mrs. Tweedy (Miranda Richardson) literally makes fried chicken our of "anyone" who is not effcicient and productive. The product is eggs. But soon the egg market takes a hit and profits fall. Wicked Mrs. Tweedy decides to turn the farm into a factory that produces chicken-pie!

Now Ginger must get out or else get put into a pie. Then the devil-may-care circus American Flying Rooster (Mel Gibson's voice) urges the chickens to escape by flying out to safety. Rooster will teach them to fly. And so it is a matter of the two ringleaders succeeding against all odds to save their fellow foul.

The animation is an amazing dazzling feast for the eye. Directors Peter Lord and Nick Park skillfully take the audience through this feathery adventure, managing with excellent and witty dialogue to keep our interest up from beginning to end. There is no doubt that children will love it. But I expect adults to love it even more. This is one of those rare, gripping action-adventure [without SEX and VIOLENCE!] that children and grownups can enjoy together. Wow ... what a novel idea.

This extraordinarily well made animated film is highly recommended for all viewers ... but they must be accompanied by a child!