Of all the animals to be immortalised by cartoons, there are few less fluffy and endearing than the pigeon.
Valiant (2005)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:106
Fresh:33
Rotten:73
Average Rating:5/10
Consensus: Valiant has a good collection of voice talents, but the story is strictly by-the-numbers.
Theatrical Release:25-03-2005
Synopsis: From the producer of "Shrek" and "Shrek 2," comes this high-flying computer-animated comedy-adventure tale of a brave-but-undersized pigeon named Valiant (voiced by Ewan McGregor), who dreams of... From the producer of "Shrek" and "Shrek 2," comes this high-flying computer-animated comedy-adventure tale of a brave-but-undersized pigeon named Valiant (voiced by Ewan McGregor), who dreams of joining the elite Royal Homing Pigeon Service (RHPS), and serving crown and country during World War II. Despite his small stature, Valiant’s ambitions are enormous as he keeps a stiff upper beak and endures rigorous training in preparation for a dangerous mission to deliver vital messages to troops behind enemy lines. With a shortage of wingpower in the royal fleet due to increased attacks by a brigade of vicious enemy falcons (led by the ruthless General Von Talon), the mission falls to Valiant and the unlikely heroes of "Squad F" to try and save the day. With a wing and a prayer, Valiant and his fine feathered pals fly into harm’s way and prove that it’s not the size of the wingspan that counts, but the size of the spirit. Filled with adventure, comedy and memorable characters, "Valiant" delivers great entertainment for audiences of all ages. John Cleese, Tim Curry, Jim Broadbent, and an all-star vocal cast of British favorites also add to the fun and excitement of this imaginative feature. The film was inspired by the fact that pigeons saved thousands of lives during the war, and 31 of the 53 top honors given to animal heroes went to pigeons. [More]
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hugh Laurie, Ricky Gervais, Tim Curry
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hugh Laurie, Ricky Gervais, Tim Curry, Jim Broadbent, John Cleese, John Hurt, Rik Mayall, Olivia Williams, Pip Torrens, Jonathan Ross
Director: Gary Chapman
Director: Gary Chapman
Producer: John H. Williams
Screenwriter: Jordan Katz
Composer: George Fenton
Screenwriter: George Webster, George Melrod
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
Reviews for Valiant
A disarmingly enjoyable movie with a lively cast of characters and an action-packed plot based (very roughly!) on real-life events
The soundtrack is good too - it only has a few songs but it uses them in interesting ways and also features the sight of an all-pigeon Mis-teeq performing Shoo-Shoo Baby at the end.
Valiant never takes flight. This Disney animated war film is dull and ugly.
The movie's takeoffs on old war-movie and RAF-flyboy cliches will certainly not connect with the knowledge base of America's current youngsters, which will only cause Valiant to seem that much more foreign.
It's a tale with plenty of spirit and a good heart, and yet, this story doesn't so much soar across the screen as it does waddle.
Arguably the blandest of the burgeoning crop of big budget digitally animated films, Valiant aims to prove that the death of traditional animation has simply pushed lackluster screenplays into the digital realm.
Stick to the genuinely delightful Chicken Run -- this one's for the birds.
Take all the movie money you've just saved and buy the kiddies a good book.
This movie's aesthetics seem governed by its bottom line: The CG is on the rubbery side, and the backdrops are jarringly 2-D. But Valiant isn't so hard to look at -- it's hard to listen to.
The thought of this motley crew in the recording studio, laying down vocal tracks and cracking each other up, is far more entertaining than anything in the film.
Valiant is sadly boring, and while its rote mechanics may function nominally on children, it's going to be a long 76 minutes for the adults.
I think history will remember it as the usher to the mid-list CGI feature.
not a laugh riot, but it is an amusing and sweet diversion with a dash of dry wit and the courage of its convictions
For parents who are tired of the hip, stupid bombast of films like Shark Tale, it'll do.
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