'Free Birds' a Creative and Humorous Family Feature

*** This review for 'Free Birds' is something I worked on for the Examiner in November 2013 ***

In the Relativity Media release of "Free Birds," Reggie the Turkey has always been afraid of the Thanksgiving holiday. But, every time Reggie tries to tell his flock of turkeys that they will be on the Thanksgiving menu eventually, they ignore him and made him an outcast. In a strange twist of events, Reggie winds up being the "pardoned turkey" by the President of the United States."

Now, three days before the holiday, Reggie is kidnapped by Jake, the president of the Turkeys Liberation Front (and only member). Jake forces Reggie to help him find a time machine that the government has and go back to the first Thanksgiving. Jake's main mission is to go back in time to get turkey of the holiday menu for good. It is only a matter of time to see whether turkey is off the Thanksgiving menu for good or not.

"Free Birds" is an entertaining family feature that is filled with funny moments and amusing characters. During the Sunday afternoon matinee that I attended, the theater was filled with lots of children who were laughing and having a good time. Some of them even clapped throughout a good portion of the family flick. So, if you are looking for a nice family outing with the kids, then take them to see "Free Birds." It's a nice family feature just in time for the upcoming holiday season!

Owen Wilson provides the voice of Reggie, the recently pardoned turkey. This past summer, Wilson teamed up with Vince Vaughn again in the comedy "The Internship." He also recently appeared in Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris," "The Big Year" and provided voice-work for "Cars 2." Woody Harrelson provides the voice of Jake. He has recently starred in the surprise summer hit "Now You See Me," "Seven Psychopaths" and "The Hunger Games."

Other voice talent include: Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) as Jenny, Dan Fogler (Take Me Home Tonight) as Governor Bradford, George Takei (Larry Crowne) as S.T.E.V.E., Colm Meaney (The Conspirator) as Myles Standish and Keith David (Cloud Atlas) as Chief Broadbeak. "Free Birds" is co-written and directed by Jimmy Hayward, who also directed "Horton Hears a Who" and "Jonah Hex."

Development on the film began in June 2009, when the title of the film was known as "Turkeys." Originally, the flick was slated to be released in November 2014. But, Relativity Media bumped the film up a year after DreamWorks Animation delayed the start for their upcoming project, "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" (which was originally slated for a release on November 1).

During its opening weekend, "Free Birds" earned an estimated $16.2 million. With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, this is a great little animated flick that the kids will love during this holiday!

"Free Birds" is rated PG for some action/peril and rude humor and has a running time of 90 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxslnpqFwOs