Barnyard: The Original Party Animals - PG
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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the "kids" in this movie (Otis and his pals) aren't exactly role models. They gamble, steal, drink (milk, but it's portrayed as alcohol), joy-ride, and say words meant as profanities ("Oh, milk me!"). And when some mischievous boys go out "cow-tipping" at night (sneaking into pastures and tipping cows over while they're sleeping), Otis and his buddies take revenge by sneaking into the boy's room, tipping him out of bed, then laughing at him. Crude scenes involve farting, burping, and defecating. Also, the bulls in this movie are drawn with udders, a genetic impossibility unless you're in a Salvador Dali painting.
Be aware that there are some tense moments when Otis' father dies at the hands of murderous coyotes after his son ignores the elder cow's wisdom and goes off to party. A burial is held.
Families can talk about how Otis and his pals should have acted. Were they right to go out partying when their elders told them not to? How soon can kids start taking responsibility for their actions? Why is it important for kids to listen to their parents? And would this movie have had a different outcome if Otis had acted responsibly right from the beginning?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jane Boursaw
The animals in the barnyard take a Vegas approach to life, i.e. what happens in the barnyard, stays in the barnyard...or...does it?
When the lights go out in the farmer's house, that's the animals' cue to party down. And party down they do! The barn is instantly transformed into a nightclub, complete with gambling, a bar, rock band, dance floor, and mechanical "man-ride". Right in the middle of it is Otis (Kevin James), a carefree bull who parties like there's no tomorrow.
But Otis' dad, Ben (Sam Elliott), and an old mule, Miles (Danny Glover), think he needs to be more discreet about the fact that animals are smarter than humans. Ben goes over the rules once again (all of which Otis breaks): 1) No swimming in the pool; 2) No watching TV through the farmhouse window; and 3) Standing on two legs is only permitted when humans are nowhere in site.
Apparently, cows occupy the ruling class in the barn hierarchy, and Otis is supposed to inherit the leadership from his father. But when Ben suddenly goes the way of all loving parents in family movies (he dies!), Otis finds himself in charge of the barnyard. Will he grow up and be a leader? Or will he use his newfound power for more tricks and cowfoolery?
Voices include Courteney Cox as Daisy the cow, Andie MacDowell as Etta the hen, Tino Insana as Pig the...pig, S. Scott Bullock as Eddie the Jersey cow, and Wanda Sykes as Bessy the cow (does this girl ever rest?)
Also, director Steve Oedekerk, who parlayed Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius to unexpected success, provides the voices for three human characters: Mr. Beady, Snotty Boy, and Snotty Boy's Father. (Yeah, we love those names, too).
Compared to other CGI movies, the animation seems flat and the humor dated. Most of the jokes about humans' ill-conceived notions of the animal world seem lifted from Toy Story. And the "father dies leaving the kid in charge" storyline is straight out of The Lion King. Although this movie has a few funny moments (you can see them in the trailers), a little originality would have gone a long way.
Families who like this movie will probably prefer The Ant Bully and Cars.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentOtis has designs on a pregnant cow. Also, the bulls are creepily shaped like linebackers, and they prance around with their udders (say what?) hanging out. |
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ViolenceMean coyotes lurk nearby, threatening the animals and killing Otis' dad. Also, cow-tipping and boy-tipping. |
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Language"Oh milk me!" and other words construed as profanities. |
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Social BehaviorFarm animals steal, drink, party, joy-ride, get chased by cops, make fun of humans, and act irresponsibly. The human boys aren't much better. |
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CommercialismPizza, cell phones, beer, cereal, household items. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoMilk is portrayed as alcohol (cows are "drinking" in the car and outside the farmer's window). The farmer is shown drinking. |
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