A Fuga das Galinhas: Estamos Fritas

The sequel doesn't offer many surprises plotwise, but is consistently amusing in its dad-jokey kind of way.

A playful strength of "Dawn of the Nugget" comes through its homages and while there is sport to be had in ringing the references, the plot is extremely simple.

The problem is, the film fails to improve upon the original. What should've been a major coup for Netflix, and audiences at large, comes off as a rank revival that will only sully the memory of a British classic.

Stays true to the original's retro, handmade spirit, literally palpable in the odd visible thumbprint.

With none of the satisfying aesthetic appeal or narrative potency of the original, Dawn of the Nugget is happy to plod along as a functional joke vehicle fueled mostly by fond memories of its acclaimed predecessor.

A lack of ambition, just-off comic timing, and inferior world-building keep this bird from flying, despite there being just enough bits that work to make it worth a look, especially if you forget who made it.

It's a lot of fun. Unlike Pixar and Disney at this point, Aardman is pretty consistently terrific from movie to movie.

Disappointing... It wasn't quite the same magic for me.

...uses Mission: Impossible as its template, and manages to be more fun than both the original Chicken Run and most of the Mission: Impossible movies.

There's punning, and contraptions, and ducks that shoot lasers out of their eyes. It's a good time.

"Dawn of the Nugget" is not the best roast chicken you've ever had. But it remains a clever and just-scary-enough good time for kids. Even a CostCo rotisserie can really hit the spot.

Don't show this to your kids before you head to Popeyes.

This chipper and lovable Aardman stop-motion animation effort is certain to delight people of all ages.

"Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget" is something sadder than the worst movie of 2023. It is the year's most disappointing.

The film makes so many callbacks and hat tips to "Chicken Run" that it feels less like a sequel and more like an inferior remake.

It's basically "Mission: Impossible" performed by weirdly expressive clay chickens, and there's nothing on Earth wrong with that.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is baggier than the original, not as funny, and it drags in parts and is on the whole less memorable. But dammit, it's still fun, and that's ultimately what matters.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget isn't as delightful as it should be. But it's still fun, and absolutely fun enough for family movie night.

If only the movie lived up to its witty title, in a Netflix film that's mildly and sporadically amusing but mostly just an unnecessary, warmed-over rehash.

Such is the standard of Aardman that even though Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget might be considered heads and tail feathers above some other animated films, it doesn't compare favorably to the studio's best work.