BARNYARD: Almost cheesy and yet beguiling. |
Remember those Far Side cartoons in which the cows act like cows only for the sake of the farmer and in reality are just like us? Steve Oedekerk’s slickly animated film offers a lame spin on this flimsy premise. Otis (Kevin James of King of Queens) is a carefree cow who likes mischief and tub-thumping techno music. But when Farmer Brown away, Otis’s father, Ben (Sam Elliott), is killed in an encounter with some coyotes, leaving Otis as the reluctant new protector of the barnyard. Most kids’ movies have little educational value; this syrupy and annoying Lion King knockoff has none. Otis and his old man, for instance, have udders. And when Otis and a handful of delinquent cow pals go for a joyride, they get “drunk” on a six-pack of milk.
On the Web
Barnyard's official Web site: http://www.barnyardmovie.com/
