Barnyard: The Original Party Animals Smells of Manure

     There have quite a few animated flicks released this summer. Movies about ants, haunted houses, cars and woodland critters made for some of the best entertainment of the year so far. Barnyard: The Original Party Animals, the latest computer-animated feature to hit theatres, is certainly fun but it lacks that extra special something that each of those other movies I referenced had. It is among the weaker animated efforts of the year.

     I am a devoted fan of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. Seeing as the folks behind that gem are responsible for Barnyard: The Original Party Animals I expected to have a blast with this flick. That is definitely not the case, though, since I saw more flaws in the motion picture than strengths. That is not to say that the movie isn’t fun for kids – it will undoubtedly hold their attention and make them laugh – it just doesn’t transcend demographics and have lasting appeal like, say, Cars.

      Barnyard: The Original Party Animals focuses on a farm full of animals who walk and talk like humans when their farmer isn’t watching. The main character is a cow named Otis, voiced by Kevin James, who enjoys a life of luxury while his father, Ben, voiced by Sam Elliott, assures everyone’s safety. Some coyotes threaten the entire flock of livestock, though, and it comes time for Otis to take responsibility for the first time in his life.

     My biggest complaint with Barnyard: The Original Party Animals is one I usually hate to read about from other critics. The movie is just one big rip-off of better animated flicks. On the lightest level, Barnyard: The Original Party Animals steals the looks of their characters from Over the Hedge (the turtles) and Loonatics Unleashed (the coyotes). More importantly, though, it steals vital plot points and basic storylines from The Lion King and Home on the Range. It often thinks itself to be more important that it really is, too.

      Barnyard: The Original Party Animals is worth seeing, especially if you are a parent of a young child, but I can’t support an average animated flick when there are numerous stronger efforts quickly deteriorating at the box office. Monster House hit the ground running but is fading fast while The Ant Bully, the summer’s best animated movie, never even had a chance. Barnyard: The Original Party Animals, which secured $16 million during its opening weekend, simply does not deserve to outperform those superior features.