Free Birds
Free Birds | |
---|---|
Directed by | Jimmy Hayward |
Screenplay by | Jimmy Hayward Scott Mosier |
Story by | David I. Stern John J. Strauss |
Produced by | Scott Mosier[1] |
Starring | |
Edited by | Chris Cartagena |
Music by | Reel FX Animation Studios |
Distributed by | Relativity Media |
Release date |
|
Running time | 91 minutes[3] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $55 million[4] |
Box office | $110.4 million[4] |
Free Birds is a 2013 American animated science fiction comedy buddy film directed by Jimmy Hayward (As of 2024, it is the last film Hayward has ever directed, making it his longest hiatus between projects) who co-wrote the screenplay with the film's producer Scott Mosier. The film stars the voices of Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, and Amy Poehler, with supporting roles by George Takei, Colm Meaney, Keith David, and Dan Fogler. It follows Reggie and Jake, two turkeys who time travel back to the first Thanksgiving in 1621 to get turkeys off the menu.
Free Birds was produced by
Free Birds received generally negative reviews from critics and grossed $110.4 million worldwide against a $55 million budget.
Plot
In the present day, Reggie is a
One night, Reggie is kidnapped by Jake, a member of the Turkey Freedom Front, who says he has been instructed by "The Great Turkey" to take Reggie and go "back in time to the first Thanksgiving to get turkeys off the menu." They steal a time machine controlled by an A.I. named S.T.E.V.E. (Space Time Exploration Vehicle Envoy) from a government facility, and time-travel back to three days before the first Thanksgiving in the year of 1621. Once there, they are ambushed by colonial hunters led by Myles Standish, and are rescued by native turkeys led by Chief Broadbeak and his two children, Ranger and Jenny.
Broadbeak explains that turkeys have been forced underground since the settlers came, and orders Jake and Ranger to spy on the settlers while Reggie and Jenny spring the humans' hunting traps. Ranger and Jake discover that the settlers have already begun preparations for Thanksgiving, and where they keep their weapons.
Jenny is unconvinced Reggie is from the future, but is impressed with his accidental unorthodox way of springing traps. They are intercepted by Standish, and Reggie sends Jenny into orbit aboard the time machine, validating his story. Reggie asks Jenny to go back to the future with him once everything blows over, but she refuses to leave the flock no matter how much she likes him.
Jake tells Reggie he has a plan to attack the settlers, and that this trip was more about him making up for his failure to save turkey eggs while escaping a
Jenny, Jake and Ranger lead the turkeys in an attack on the settlement just as Chief Massasoit and his tribe arrive. Reggie goes back in time to stop the attack, inadvertently trapping Standish in the time stream. Through S.T.E.V.E. and the Pizza Dude, Reggie convinces the settlers and Native Americans that pizza is a more acceptable food than turkeys, taking turkeys off the Thanksgiving menu entirely. Reggie decides to stay in the 17th century with Jenny while Jake takes S.T.E.V.E. back to the present to look for new adventures.
In the mid-credits, Jake returns in S.T.E.V.E. moments after leaving Reggie and Jenny. With a chicken and a duck in his wings, Jake starts to tell the turkeys about the turducken.
Cast
- domesticated turkeywho is pardoned by the President of the United States and is dragged into Jake's plot. He's also Jake's best friend, Jenny's love interest and then later boyfriend and Ranger's future brother-in-law.
- Woody Harrelson as Jake, a wild turkey who is the president of the Turkey Freedom Front (T.F.F.) and Reggie's best friend.
- Amy Poehler as Jenny, a wild turkey who Reggie's love interest and then later girlfriend, Broadbeak's daughter and Ranger's younger sister, later the chief of the native turkeys.
- George Takei as the Space Time Exploration Vehicle Envoy (S.T.E.V.E.), an artificial intelligence of the time machine, shaped like a giant egg.
- Colm Meaney as Captain Standish, a pilgrim hunter.
- Keith David as Chief Broadbeak, the chief of the native turkeys and Jenny and Ranger's father.
- Bradford, the governor of the Plymouth colony.
- Jimmy Hayward as
- The President of the United States
- Ranger, Jenny's older brother, Broadbeak's son, and Reggie's future brother-in-law
- Leatherbeak
- Hazmat #2
- Kaitlyn Maher as The President's Daughter
- Carlos Alazraqui as Amos
- Jeff Biancalana as General Sagan and Hazmat #1
- Danny Carey as Danny
- Carlos Ponce as:
- Narrator
- Alejandro
- Robert Beltran as Chief Massasoit, the leader of the Wampanoags.
- Lesley Nicol as Pilgrim Woman
- Jason Finazzo as Chrononaut One
- Scott Mosier as Pizza Dude
- Lauren Bowles as Jake's Mother
- Dwight Howard as Cold Turkey
- Josh Lawson as Gus
Additional voices by Jeff Biancalana, Jason Finazzo, Jimmy Hayward, and Scott Mosier.
Production
Development on the film, originally titled Turkeys, began in June 2009 and physical production began in January 2011.
Free Birds | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Soundtrack album by Dominic Lewis | ||||
Released | October 29, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2013 | |||
Genre | Film score | |||
Length | 64:45 | |||
Label | Relativity Music Group | |||
Producer | Dominic Lewis | |||
Dominic Lewis film scores chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Free Birds: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | ||||
|
The film's score was composed by Dominic Lewis. The soundtrack was released by Relativity Music Group on October 29, 2013.[14]
Marketing
Relativity Media teamed up with five major companies to promote Free Birds, including Kidz Bop 2013, YMCA SCUBA program, Old Navy, and Auntie Anne's. This included a gift set carry bag, a Chuck E. Cheese snap band, and the 'Back in Time' YouTube video featuring WOP and MattyBRaps.[citation needed]
Release
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 20% based on 91 reviews and an average rating of 4.3/10. The critics consensus reads: "Technically proficient yet creatively moribund, Free Birds begs unfortunate comparisons with the dim-witted fowl that inspired it."[15] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 38 out of 100 based on reviews from 27 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[16] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.[17]
Justin Chang of
Sheri Linden of the Los Angeles Times gave the film a negative review, saying "Like the ungainly avian creatures at the center of the herky-jerky adventure, this 'toon seldom gets off the ground."[25] Jessica Herndon of the Associated Press gave the film two out of four stars, saying "A solid premiere effort that shows Reel FX's potential to produce quality full-length animation. But the story-line, with its hypothetical constituents, seems a little desperate at times, even for a kiddie film."[26] Linda Barnard of the Toronto Star gave the film one out of four stars, calling the film "A seasonally pegged 3D cartoon bore that sets the bar so low, it could give a slug a concussion."[27] Tom Russo of The Boston Globe gave the film two out of four stars, calling the film "A welcome foray into underexploited territory, conceptually at least."[28] Bill Goodykoontz of The Arizona Republic gave the film two out of five stars, saying "It isn't cute. It isn't really funny. It just kind of is."[29] Louis Black of The Austin Chronicle gave the film one and a half stars out of five, saying "Free Birds falls flat, despite its good intentions, ideological cuteness, humorous polish, and skillful computer animation. The fine voice talents of the almost-ideal cast are wasted."[30] Elizabeth Weitzman of the New York Daily News gave the film two out of five stars, saying "Most minor animated movies are so rote that it’s worth acknowledging a strange bird like this cheerfully gonzo kid flick. It’s no masterpiece, but if you’re hoping for a family film that will keep everyone reasonably entertained, this will fly."[31]
Miriam Bale of The New York Times gave the film a negative review, saying "The concept is insane, and the execution is manic and unoriginal."[32] Sara Stewart of the New York Post gave the film one and a half stars out of four, saying "Is Hollywood scheming to turn your little ones into strident vegetarians? Could be, but I wish they’d do it with material more inspired than Free Birds, a forgettable—and occasionally borderline offensive—animated tale of turkeys trying to take back Thanksgiving."[33] David Hiltbrand of The Philadelphia Inquirer gave the film one and a half stars out of four, saying "Free Birds is a stale turkey hash that heaves a lot of ingredients in the oven but never turns on the gas, a frantic attempt to come up with an animated film built around Thanksgiving Day traditions."[34] Liam Lacey of The Globe and Mail gave the film one and a half stars out of four, saying "The movie's animal rights, vegetarian message should go down easily with politically correct parents—at least until they choke on the offensive depiction of 17th-century turkeys as face-painted, headband-wearing native Americans."[35] Stephanie Merry of The Washington Post gave the film two and a half stars out of four, saying "Finally, there's a movie vegetarian parents can enjoy with their impressionable offspring."[36] Peter Hartlaub of the San Francisco Chronicle gave the film one out of four stars, saying "In execution, the film is all sidekicks and sight gags, with little story cohesion or purpose."[37] Mark Kermode gave the film a negative review.[38]
Bill Zwecker of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film a mixed review, saying "No, Free Birds is not (sorry) a turkey of a film. But it doesn’t really soar terribly high either. I only wish the quality of the writing in the earlier parts of the movie had been maintained throughout. If that had been the case, Reggie, Jake and their fellow turkeys just might have been flying high with the eagles—our official national birds."[39] Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a mixed review, saying "Although it seldom approaches the inspiration of its plucky premise—a pair of turkeys travel back in a time machine to the first Thanksgiving in a bid to scratch the traditional entree off the menu—Free Birds nevertheless manages to avoid being branded a holiday turkey."[40] Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com gave the film one and a half stars out of four, saying "Everything about Free Birds feels perfunctory, from its generic title and holiday setting to its starry voice cast and undistinguished use of 3-D."[41]
Box office
Free Birds grossed $55,750,480 in North America, and $54,400,000 in other countries, for a worldwide total of $110,150,480.[4] In North America, the film opened to number four in its first weekend, with $15,805,237, behind Ender's Game, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa and Last Vegas.[42] In its second weekend, the film moved up to number three, grossing an additional $11,112,063.[43] In its third weekend, the film dropped to number four, grossing $8,106,151.[44] In its fourth weekend, the film dropped to number five, grossing $5,363,208.[45]
Home media
Free Birds was released on
References
- ^ a b Harmanian, Harout (October 25, 2012). "Relativity Media and Reel FX Team Up for 'Turkeys' toon". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "Dominic Lewis to Score 'Free Birds'". Film Music Reporter. April 20, 2013. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
- ^ "Free Birds (3D)". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Free Birds". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ Schwartzel, Erich (October 31, 2013). "For Animation Studio, a Hit or Turkey?". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
The film will be the 10th animated feature out of Hollywood so far this year, and the first original full-length release for Reel FX,...
- About.com. Archived from the originalon May 11, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
- ^ "Biggest Box-Office Bombs of 2013". Business Insider. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
- ^ a b Shaw, Lucas (February 22, 2013). "Relativity Moves 'Turkeys' Up a Year; Amy Poehler Joins Voice Cast (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
- ^ Kricfalusi, John (October 12, 2013). "Free Birds AKA Time Turkeys". Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ Kricfalusi, John (October 31, 2013). "Turkey Action". Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ Armstrong, Josh (August 7, 2013). "Free Birds creators explain why Reel FX's first theatrical feature is no turkey". Animated Views. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
- ^ a b Fleming, Mike (March 17, 2010). "Granat/Jones Start Family Friendly Bedrock". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 15, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
- ^ McNary, Dave (November 15, 2012). "Relativity, Reel FX set date for 'Turkeys'". Variety. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
- ^ "'Free Birds' Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
- ^ "Free Birds". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- Fandom, Inc.Retrieved April 22, 2022.
- ^ Kaufman, Amy (November 3, 2013). "'Ender's Game' is No. 1, 'Last Vegas' has better hand than 'Free Birds'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
it earned an average grade of A- from moviegoers, and no other films for little kids are slated to be released until Nov. 27.
- ^ Chang, Justin (October 23, 2013). "'Free Birds' Review: Turkeys Meet 'Terminator'". Variety. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ Duralde, Alonso (October 29, 2013). "'Free Birds' Review: This Animated Thanksgiving Comedy Is Pure Gobble-dygook". TheWrap. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ Zacharek, Stephanie. "Manic and Cramped, Free Birds Tries to Offer a Kinder, Gentler Thanksgiving". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ Erbland, Kate (October 30, 2013). "Review: 'Free Birds'". Film.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ Lee, Stephan (November 7, 2013). "Free Birds Movie Review | Movie Reviews and News". EW.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ Puig, Claudia (October 30, 2013). "Funny 'Free Birds' gobbles up Thanksgiving history". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- Slant. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ Linden, Sheri (October 31, 2013). "Review: 'Free Birds' lays an egg". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ Herndon, Jessica (October 30, 2013). "Review: Kooky 'Free Birds' fun, but flat". Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013 – via Boston.com.
- ^ Barnard, Linda (October 31, 2013). "Free Birds, a turkey of a movie: review". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ Russo, Tom (October 31, 2013). "'Free Birds' offers an animated Thanksgiving". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ Goodykoontz, Bill (October 31, 2013). "'Free Birds', 2 stars". The Arizona Republic.
- ^ Black, Louis (November 1, 2013). "Free Birds". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- NY Daily News. New York. October 31, 2013. Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ Bale, Miriam (October 31, 2013). "Rethinking the Main Course". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ^ Stewart, Sara (October 23, 2013). "Fumbling 'Free Birds' may make your kid a vegetarian". New York Post. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ Hiltbrand, David (November 1, 2013). "'Free Birds': A gobble wobble". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ Lacey, Liam (November 1, 2013). "Free birds: This undercooked effort leaves bad taste". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ Merry, Stephanie (October 31, 2013). "Owen Wilson, Amy Poehler give voice to Thanksgiving-themed 'Free Birds'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- SF Gate. Archivedfrom the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ "Mark Kermode reviews Free Birds". YouTube. November 29, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
requires|archive-url=
(help) - ^ Zwecker, Bill (November 1, 2013). "'Free Birds': Turkeys nicely animated, but the story's undercooked". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ Rechtshaffen, Michael (October 29, 2013). "Free Birds: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ Lemire, Christy (November 1, 2013). "Free Birds Movie Review & Film Summary (2013)". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for November 1–3, 2013". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
- ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for November 8–10, 2013". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for November 15-17, 2013". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for November 22-24, 2013". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- ^ "Free Birds Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
External links
- Quotations related to Free Birds at Wikiquote
- Media related to Free Birds at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- Free Birds at IMDb