Chickenhare and the Secret of the Groundhog assessment – time-travel enjoyable for plucky hybrid critters | Movie

Although this animated characteristic doesn’t have a title as totally superior as its predecessor, Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness, it’s nonetheless a wonderfully sufficient 90-ish minutes of creamy pastel-coloured picaresque leisure. It feels prefer it’s skewed within the route of youthful viewers given the straightforward character designs, normal wholesomeness and easy-on-the-jokes tone, however the plot is surprisingly difficult. The lead character is known as Chickenhare due to course he’s half-chicken half-hare, though in observe he seems to be extra like a hare than a rooster apart from a tuft of feathers on the crown of his head. He is greatest associates with a skunk named Meg, outfitted with the superior energy of stink and who may be very butch-coded together with her waistcoat, faux-hawk and tomboy traits; there may be additionally a tortoise named Abe, who as you may think is much less eager on working about than the opposite two.

After a pleasingly kinetic introductory motion sequence that feels very Indiana Jones-inspired, throughout which the treasure-hunting trio run right into a svelte however scratchy cat referred to as Crolloq, an old style good friend (girlfriend?) of Meg’s. Angry at Meg for assorted causes, she leaves the opposite three in a pit however they ultimately escape with the golden spork they had been searching for all alongside, a doodah that proves helpful later. One factor results in one other, like they do, they usually find yourself on a brand new journey seeking a 3,000-year-old groundhog with a backwards going through face who can flip again time. A brand new character accompanies them on the best way: Gina, Chickenhare’s long-lost half-sister who’s, anticipate it, a harechicken – extra aviform than mammalian.

In reality, nobody right here is kind of what they appear at first – and midway via the film the principle trio get separated after which wrestle with assorted backstories and obstacles earlier than reuniting for a giant climax when the entire menagerie get again collectively. The closing message is about accepting your internal nature or some such platitude, however the journey is what actually issues, particularly all of the feasting alongside the best way and studying to forgive outdated associates for previous slights.