- Film Review
- Reviewed By Alan Jones
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2 out of 5
Disney, Pixar and co are not going to lose sleep over this old-fashioned CGI adventure, which draws on historical fact about the crucial role played by homing pigeons during the Second World War. Valiant (voiced by Ewan McGregor) is a country wood pigeon who follows his dream to join the Royal Homing Pigeon Service, despite his small stature. When Nazi falcon General Von Talon (Tim Curry) captures a number of his comrades, Valiant's courage is put to the test. Nothing more than technically adequate, the film never really takes off due to its clichéd, stiff-upper-lip story and lack of visual invention. The gags are pretty poor - the sexy French Resistance mouse codenamed Charles De Girl is more 'Allo 'Allo! than Memphis Belle - but Jim Broadbent's drill sergeant and Ricky Gervais's Trafalgar Square spiv at least provide some memorable bird-brained humour.
Plot Summary
Animated comedy adventure featuring the voices of Ewan McGregor, Ricky Gervais, John Cleese and Tim Curry. In May 1944, a small but courageous wood pigeon called Valiant does his bit for the war effort by joining the Royal Homing Pigeon Service. But the RHPS is suffering heavy losses owing to the ruthless Nazi falcon brigade under General Von Talen, and Valiant's squad is interrupted in its training and sent on a special mission.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Valiant
- Ewan McGregor
- Bugsy
- Ricky Gervais
- General Von Talon
- Tim Curry
- Mercury
- John Cleese
- Felix
- John Hurt
- Sergeant
- Jim Broadbent
- Gutsy
- Hugh Laurie
- Cufflingk
- Rik Mayall
- Victoria
- Olivia Williams
- Lofty
- Pip Torrens
Crew
- Director
- Gary Chapman
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