Exhibitors seem to think that “Chicken Little” could hit big

“Wait until you see ‘Chicken Little’ in Disney Digital 3D. It looked absolutely amazing.”

I’m kind of surprised that you haven’t yet written about that Studio Showcase that Disney held at the Kodak Theater last Thursday.

Boy, did the Mouse put on the dog for this day-long event. The studio trotted celebrity after celebrity out in front of us exhibitors. Jodie Foster, Mel Gibson, Johnny Depp, Elton John. Each of them touting their upcoming projects for Disney or Touchstone. Even John Lasseter put in an appearance, trading quips with *** Cook as they both talked up “Cars.”

But the real highlight of the Studio Showcase was that Disney finally showed us “Chicken Little” in its entirety.

Jim, I have to tell you that I was one of those people who was really leery about the idea of Disney abandoning traditional animation. Of this company turning its back on an artform that this studio had excelled at 80+ plus years. Just to chase after the billions that Pixar, Dreamworks/PDI and Blue Sky are hauling in.

But after having seen Disney’s first full-length CG film … I think that this changeover might actually work after all. For “Chicken Little” is one funny little film.

And when I say “little,” I mean “little.” “Chicken Little” is a very modest motion movie. Its ultimate goal here isn’t to dazzle or impress. But — rather — just make people laugh for 80 minutes or so.

And toward that end, this Mark Dindal film succeeds admirably. “Chicken Little” serves up laugh after laugh. It seems like there’s a new gag coming along every 10 seconds or so.

Though — to be honest — I really wonder how well this movie is going to age. Given that so much of the humor in the picture — EX: cell phones, soda machines that won’t take your dollar, “Girls Gone Wild” videos — keys off of what’s going on in today’s world. So one wonder how funny all of these jokes are going to seem in 40 or 50 years. Whether “Chicken Little” will hold up as well as a “Snow White” or even a “Beauty & the Beast.”

As for the film’s story, it basically deals with Chicken Little, this undersized misfit chicken who — as the movie starts — is still trying to live down the whole “Sky is Falling” incident. This embarassing episode has caused Chicken Little to become somewhat estranged from his dad, Buck Cluck. So the only people that he can turn to for comfort are his fellow misfits: Runt of the Litter, Ugly Duckling and Fish Out of Water.

As he starts the new school year, Chicken Little is determined to put the “Sky is Falling” incident behind him. To get the residents of Oakey Oaks to see him in a whole new light. But after an incident in gym class puts Chicken Little even further behind the eight ball (and embarasses his dad even further), he’s determined to do something — ANYTHING — to turn this situation around.

So what does Chicken Little do? He tries out for the school’s baseball team. And — wonder of wonders — he makes the team. Better yet, Chicken Little knocks in the winning run at a crucial game. Which wins him the love & respect of the people of Oakey Oaks.

So now Chicken Little’s back on top. His dad’s proud of him once more. Things are going to much better from here on in … And then WHAM! A piece of the sky actually does fall on Chicken Little.

Only it isn’t really a piece of the sky. But — rather — a weird alien artifact that offers proof that Earth is about to be invaded by aliens!

So what should Chicken Little do? Should he tell his dad and the other people in Oakey Oaks what he’s discovered and risk being ridiculed again. Nope. Chicken Little decides to only tell his misfit friends. Who interrupt their karaoke party to come check out the artifact.

To tell any more of this film’s story would really ruin a lot of “Chicken Little” ‘s fun. Though — to be honest — anyone who’s seen any of the trailers or commercials for this upcoming Disney movie already knows 90% of the plot.

The vocal cast is terrific. Zach Braff of “Scrubs” is wonderful as Chicken Little, making the character both humorous & heartfelt. Gary Marshall is amazing as Buck Cluck, Chicken Little’s dad. I predict that — off of his work in this picture — Gary’s going to get a lot more offers to work in animated features.

And — even though it’s just supposed to be a supporting role, Steve Zahn’s Runt of the Litter virtually walked off with the movie. This character made me laugh and laugh hard whenever he came on screen. And a lot of the credit for those laughs go to Zahn’s frantic vocals.

As for the rest of the supporting cast, Joan Cusask does a great job with Abbie Mallard (a.k.a. The Ugly Duckling). Don Knotts is very enjoyable as Turkey Lurkey. And Catherine O’Hara and Fred Willard are really a kick as Kirby’s parents (“Who’s Kirby? And who are his parents?” See the movie. You’ll understand.)

Anyway … As I said, this is a modest motion picture. One that’s deliberately designed to appeal to teenagers, with the hope that they’ll then go check out the flick two and three times during its theatrical release. Which will then drive up “Chicken Little” ‘s domestic box office.

To be honest, the only time “Chicken Little” really dazzled me was when Disney then showed us about three minutes of the movie in digital 3D. And then it was like I was watching a whole different movie. The characters literally popped off the screen. Each scene seemed to have real depth and definition. It was amazing.

After they showed that digital 3D clip, Disney then talked about how they were helping exhibitors equip 100 theaters nationwide to show “Chicken Little” in this format. With the goal then being to triple that number by the time “A Day with Wilbur Robinson” comes out next fall.

So my advice is — if you want to see a cute little movie that signals that Disney really is getting back into the animation game — go see “Chicken Little” in a conventional theater. But if you want to see something that truly dazzles you, make an effort to go see this cg animated feature in digital 3D. Trust me. You won’t believe your eyes.