May 17th, 2016

My 11-year old son and I snagged tickets to the advance screening of The Angry Birds Movie: Red's Big Adventure hosted by National Geographic on May 14. Rovio's Angry Birds ap that we have all grown to know and love came to life in an impeccably animated 90 minute film suitable for parent and child alike. 

Nat Geographic hosted the exclusive pre-screening at their DC headquarters but it will hit theaters near you on May 20. I highly recommend you make it a priority to see this movie with your family. Isaac and I both gave this movie two thumbs up and I could tell by the oohs, aahs and laughter among us that we weren't the only ones who thoroughly enjoyed it!

The movie flies into gear full throttle as Red, the birthday clown, arrives late to a special "hatch day" party for a little boy birdie. The overbearing papa bird sends Red off the deep end after he failed to show any grace toward Red's numerous mishaps causing him to be tardy to the celebration. In a subsequent court hearing, Red is "plucked" out of the bird community and remanded to an indefinite amount of time in an anger management facility where he must take the journey to becoming a "free range bird". It isn't long before everyone in the facility realizes the extent of his rage and he soon finds himself the outcast even within the lively cast of fellow birds.

Red, aka "eyebrows", does some soul searching and determines that his tendencies toward anger and pessimism stem from rejection and teasing he endured in his youth.  However, his pessimism comes in handy when visitors arrive on their island, pretending to befriend the bird population. Red sees right through their ploy, but now has to earn back the trust from his fellow bird-kind in order to save the flock's fate! 

In addition to being a hilarious, family friendly story that speaks to all ages, the writers have weaved in undertones of valuable lessons such as: Heroes come in unexpected forms and It's okay to have feelings; even anger at times.

"Braver-y. Humili-ty, An-ger-y
Mighty Red, you rescued me!"

Movie directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis. Cheers to Christy Barcus, author of National Geographic's The Angry Bird Movie: Red's Big Adventure book. Isaac will cherish his autographed copy. ​