Saturday, June 24, 2000

It’s raining hen!

MALLED: At the Clinique counter at Famous-Barr today, a woman turned to her friend and said, "I've been thinking of going over to the Lancôme system." Her inflection implied it was an actual place she intended to visit. I immediately pictured a scene from Star Trek, with Captain Picard ordering, "Mr. Crusher, plot a course to the Lancôme system, warp factor three. Take us through the Chanel Nebula. Engage."

MUST-SEE POULTRY: The Twins accompanied me to see Chicken Run last night — my second viewing and their first. I wanted to be sure I saw the movie on its opening weekend to do what little I could to contribute to the opening gross receipts and thereby encourage the further production of fine animated entertainment. The guys were dubious about enjoying a "kid flick," as was the crowd of twenty-somethings shut out of an oversold Boys and Girls, but they were game to try.

There was some sniggering during the trailers for coming attractions, including Pokémon 2000 and Thomas the Tank Engine (Alex Baldwin as Mr. Conductor (!) did give them pause). But in the end, everyone enjoyed the show, filling the auditorium with laughs again and again. The disappointed Boys and Girls group even led the standing ovation at the end, and when was the last time you saw someone applaud a movie, much less rise to their feet?

In short: See this movie. I noticed several clever touches I'd missed on the first viewing, including my favorite throw-away line: During the chickens' flight training, the scheming rats who provision to coop are pelted with pullets and one exclaims, "It's raining hen!" The Weathergirls must be so proud. (Warning: If you're at all interested in being thoroughly delighted and surprised by the movie, avoid watching either the commercials now airing for it or any of the "making of..." specials being shown. Both give away some significant plot points.)