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Either as a kids' cartoon or a comedy, 'Valiant' stalls

Had Disney invested even half the effort of the pigeons depicted in "Valiant," this film could have been a soaring summer success. But unlike its title hero, the movie never rises to the occasion, mostly because its writers failed to decide what it should be.

Is it a kids' movie? Is it for adults? Is it a family picture with humor for all ages?

Walt Disney Pictures 'Valiant' C+ The verdict: Too high-brow to be a kids' movie. Not funny enough to be a comedy. Director: Gary Chapman Starring: Ewan McGregor, Jim Broadbent, John Cleese, Tim Curry, Rupert Everett Run time: 109 minutes Release date: August 19, 2005 Rating: G. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate "Valiant"   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

For that matter, is it a comedy at all? Or a drama? A historical tribute?

"Valiant" tries to be all these things and does none well. Which is a shame, because its originators hatched a good idea.

The film tells the story of a young, pint-sized pigeon named Valiant (voiced by Ewan McGregor) who wants nothing more than to serve his native England in the Royal Homing Pigeon Service during World War II. He lands in Squad F, a rag-tag band of misfits aptly named for their attributes, notably the grimy Bugsy (Ricky Gervais) and patrician Lofty (Pip Torrens).

Across the English Channel, Nazi falcons are devastating the ranks of Britain's homing pigeons, so Squad F is quickly called to duty for a perilous mission. Led by the celebrated Commander Gutsy (Hugh Laurie), they must retrieve a message from the French underground that will alter the course of the war.

This is where our hero lives up to his name. It's also the high point of the movie. Once Valiant takes charge, the pace picks up and parents and children alike have something to enjoy. The concluding chase scene almost makes the stumbling first hour of the flick worth the effort.

Almost.

However, the majority of the movie is a conflict not between good and evil but between genres. Ultimately, with no clear objective, there's no clear winner.

Certainly, kids don't come out on top. The vicious falcon attacks depicted in very opening scenes may jar the youngest children; older kids will snooze through the animated version of a World War II British newsreel immediately thereafter.

In the screening I attended, which was packed to the rafters with kids and parents, the children were uncharacteristically silent for the entire film. The only chuckles — and these were chuckles, mind you, not guffaws, hoots nor belly laughs — came from the adults.

Case in point: When an imprisoned English pigeon (John Cleese) fears he's about to be eaten by his captor, the Nazi falcon (Tim Curry) reassures him: "I'm a vegetarian."

"And yet you wear a leather cape," the pigeon retorts.

Hardly the kind of humor most kids will recognize, much less enjoy.

"Valiant" is not a bad film, just one with an identity crisis. It has its high points, too. Nurse Victoria (Olivia Williams) is a pleasant addition and provides clever comic relief. And the movie deals honestly with the struggle that its young soldiers feel as they balance duty and fear. Says one, "I'm staying. I'm doing my bit."

If nothing else, "Valiant" at least provides a history lesson. For instance, you learn that the Dickin Medal is awarded "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty" to animals that serve in Britain's armed forces and civil defense.

The majority of its World War II recipients: pigeons.