'Valiant' is rescued by some top-flight talent
by Eleanor Ringel Gillespie

The aptly named animated movie "Valiant" is a valiant attempt by a British studio to offer kids something a little less hyperactive than their steady diet of Saturday morning cartoons and prefab big screen hits like "Robots," with their wink-wink pop-culture jokes and heavy-duty voice talent. Actually, "Valiant," does pretty well in the well-known-and-honed vocal department, too, featuring a classy roster of British actors, led by Ewan McGregor. That and some meticulous period details make up for the film's unsurprising plot and occasional tepid stretches. Read the full review

TO SUM UP
A brave but undersized pigeon named Valiant dreams of joining the elite Royal Homing Pigeon Service during World War II. Because of a shortage of wingpower in the royal fleet due to increased attacks by a brigade of vicious enemy falcons, Valiant and the unlikely heroes of "Squad F" must fly into harm's way and prove that it's not the wingspan that counts, but the size of the spirit.

FILM FACTS ...
Walt Disney Pictures
'Valiant'

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.
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On the web
Official movie site
View the trailer
   Trailers require Quicktime

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READ THE REVIEW

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: C+
"Given the recent tragedies in London, it's rather nice timing for a movie that celebrates British stiff-upper-lip resilience."

Cox News Service: C+
"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."

Austin American-Statesman: 2 of 5 stars
"It's as average as Shrek was outstanding."

The Palm Beach Post: C
"The film starts promisingly enough with a chipper, period-perfect black-and-white newsreel on the war effort, but the adult humor level soon falls away..."


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