|
"Udder Freaks" |
 |
Directed by Steve
Oedekerk - Written by
Steve Oedekerk
Starring Kevin James,
Sam Elliott, Courteney
Cox, Wanda Sykes
Distributed by Paramount -
2006 - 90mins - Rated PG |
|
Richard Propes'
Review
|
 |
C- |
|
| |
|
What happens in the barn stays in the barn. |
| |
I get stared at a lot.
Now, unfortunately, it's not my particularly stunning looks, my
sparkling personality or even my flair for fashion.
Nope, it's because I'm different.
Sometimes, I really feel sorry for small children. They spend their
entire childhood being taught about their fingers and their toes and
their bodies THEN have to run into someone like me.
It's just not fair...they simply have to stare. Unless they've been
raised around individuals with disabilities they simply don't know
what to make of my situation. Born with Spina Bifida, I am a double,
below-knee amputee and also possess the trademark Spina Bifida
condition of Scoliosis. I'm in a wheelchair and, well, all of this
adds up together to something most young children either stare at,
laugh at, ask about or simply have to quickly run off to their mothers
asking "Mommy, why's that man got no legs?"
All of this personal exposition is for a good reason, I promise. It
brings us to my review of "Barnyard," a reasonably humorous animated
film with cows that are, well, different.
In case you don't know this, let me share with you a basic cow truth.
Cows are female...yet, in "Barnyard" you not only have male cows, but
you have male cows with udders.
Why, I ask, Why? What's the point? This genetic flaw is never
mentioned in the film or addressed in any meaningful manner. It's not
like the udders are hidden or even just discreet...nope, they're
featured prominently and for no apparent reason at all. Is it some
crass marketing campaign? Some odd, freakish statement against
females? What is it?
Furthermore, is a children's film centered around transsexual cows
really that entertaining?
Truthfully, "Barnyard" is actually a fairly entertaining film.
However, absolute and complete surrender is required in order to ever
let go of the sight of the udders on the male cows. This degree of
surrender was nothing I ever achieved and, thus, I never found myself
completely in tune with the goings on of the film.
The other snag with "Barnyard" is a seemingly innocuous undertone of
racism in several of its scenes. Both Danny Glover's voice work as a
mule and an odd routine with a black mouse wearing cheese "bling" seem
to have an almost mean-spirited undertone to them.
Is it a bad sign that I'm halfway through a review and haven't really
even mentioned the actors yet?
Yep, it's a bad sign.
"Barnyard" centers on Otis (Kevin James), a teenage cow who lives a
carefree life on the farm and who will someday inherit leadership of
the animals from his father (Sam Elliott). Otis, however, is more
interested in partying down. This leads to multiple, non-plot related
scenes that do nothing to advance the story except evoke a few laughs.
One day, Otis's father is killed by an evil coyote (David Koechner).
Otis continues his partying ways and abandons those on the farm who
need him most, however, he will eventually find his powerful inner cow
(with udders!) and save the day!
Yippee!
This basic storyline is essentially all there is to "Barnyard," with
multiple partying scenes thrown in for good measure. Some of these
party scenes are actually funny, however, such as the concept of "boy
tipping" and the various human-related party antics that make us look
pretty darn stupid (Though, I'm certainly grateful I don't have
udders!).
Beyond the "udder" catastrophe and the semi-subliminal racism,
"Barnyard" is also challenged by a rather glaring similarity to "The
Lion King" in storyline and structure. Additionally, while the
silliness of "Barnyard" may be attractive to young children the film
also may scare these same young children with some rather intense
fighting scenes throughout the film.
Courteney Cox, as a pregnant cow, the previously mentioned Danny
Glover and Andie MacDowell do nice jobs in supporting roles, however,
yet another cinematic appearance by Wanda Sykes adds up to one too
many films this year for Ms. Sykes.
The film's visuals are satisfactory, however, add very little to the
film itself. Steve Oedekerk's direction and script lack the style and
depth of his work on "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius." The film's
soundtrack is a hodgepodge of popular music, including a particularly
well used version of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" and an
interesting, though somewhat offensive, rap number.
While several of Oedekerk's jokes and scenes work nicely, just as many
fall completely flat or simply lack authenticity.
The overall feeling I had leaving "Barnyard" was one of feeling
genuinely creeped out. With the odd and unexplained decision to create
male cows with udders, an undertone of racism and scenes that often
bounce too quickly between innocent fun and mean-spiritedness,
"Barnyard" left me wondering about the conversations parents might be
having with their children on the way home.
In a year when it seems like every other week brings a new animated
film, "Barnyard" may be the oddest one of them all. It's an animated
film that works hard trying to please everyone, but may end up
pleasing noone.
"Barnyard" is udderly disappointing.
|
| |
|
© Written by Richard Propes -
Email Me! |
|
How We Rated This Film
|
TC Candler -
|
|
|
| Richard Propes
- |
 |
C- |
|
Jacob Hall
- |
|
|
|
TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Jacob Hall's
Comment
n/a
|
