Barnes & Noble

As characters go, carrier pigeons may not be as easy a sell to children as Woody and Buzz, Shrek, or the Madagascar penguins. But while the World War II setting may soar above the target audience’s heads, Valiant does earn its wings as a rousing adventure in which “it’s not the size of your wing span (that’s important), it’s the size of your spirit.” Like Balto, this computer-animated British feature is based on real-life animal heroics. Thirty-two pigeons, we are informed, were honored with the prestigious Dickin Medal for their efforts in delivering top-secret messages from behind enemy lines. Though small in stature, Valiant is determined to leave his mother’s nest and enlist in the Royal Homing Pigeon Service. After a bit of bumbling basic training, his misfit outfit is engaged in a dangerous mission to rendezvous with the French Resistance (the mouse division led by Charles de Girl) and avoid being captured by the evil Gen. Von Talon, who tortures his prisoners by blasting yodeling music. The top-flight voice case includes Ricky Gervais (The Office), Tim Curry, and John Cleese. Something of an odd duck, Valiant did not really get off the ground during its theatrical run, but it will fly high on DVD, where children can cheer on this pigeon “with something extra.” Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide

Inspired by the true-life story of carrier pigeons who were trained to carry vital information for the Allied forces across the English Channel during World War II, this computer-animated adventure comedy focuses on Valiant (voice of Ewan McGregor), a wood pigeon who has volunteered to do his part for England during the war. While Valiant believes in the cause, he's not exactly a quick study in his training under a no-nonsense sergeant (voice of Jim Broadbent), and his new pal Bugsy (voice of Ricky Gervais), a vermin-carrying former denizen of Trafalgar Square, fares even worse in the courage department. However, when one of the key British birds, Mercury (voice of John Cleese), is captured by notorious Nazi falcon Von Talon (voice of Tim Curry), Valiant and his crew must spring into action to keep the lines of communication open in time for D-day. Along the way, Valiant also finds time to romance avian nurse Victoria (voice of Olivia Williams) and French resistance agent Charles De Girl (voice of Sharon Horgan). Produced at the British Ealing Studios, Valiant also features the voice talents of John Hurt, Rik Mayall, and Hugh Laurie. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 786936293173
• Source: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Language: English
• Time: 1:16:00
• Sales Rank: 22,616

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