Angry Birds fans hoping for a clever spin on the game’s physics comedy will leave the theater disappointed. The 2016 animated movie treats its characters like talking props rather than fully realized animals, and the result is a forgettable, occasionally amusing but rarely engaging family film.
Trailer, via Sony Pictures Entertainment.
The Setup
The plot centers on Red, a frustrated bird who feels left out of the island’s social circle. When a mysterious green pig arrives with a plan to steal the island’s eggs, Red teams up with Chuck and Bomb on a mission to stop him. The setup is simple, and it mostly stays that way.
Voice Talent
The cast brings energy to flat material. Josh Gad voices Red with a mix of frustration and desperation that carries some scenes, while Danny DeVito’s gruff villainy adds a spark of menace. The supporting voices don’t get much room to shine.
Where It Works
The movie’s best moments come from the physical comedy built around the birds’ signature abilities. A scene where Red’s rage triggers a chain reaction of destruction lands with genuine laughs. These are the rare stretches where the film connects.
Where It Falls Short
The dialogue is thin, and the jokes often rely on repeating the premise rather than building on it. Characters say things like “I’m a bird” and “I can’t fly” repeatedly, as though the audience needed constant reminder of what kind of creatures these are. The film never quite figures out why we should care about these particular birds beyond their ability to launch.
Comparing the Two
| Element | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Comedy | Effective | Rare |
| Dialogue | Thin | Repetitive |
| Plot | Simple | Flat |
The Verdict
The Angry Birds Movie isn’t a failure, but it isn’t a standout either. It’s a competent, occasionally funny animated film that doesn’t do much with its own premise. Fans of the game might enjoy a brief nostalgia trip, but general audiences will likely find themselves checking their watches during the middle stretch.
“I’m a bird.”
That line sums up the film’s problem: it knows what it is, but it doesn’t know what to do with that knowledge.
The Score
The Angry Birds Movie scores 4.3 out of 10.
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