Valiant

This G-rated film contains some impressive animation, some funny dialogue, and some exciting action, but it never soars the way one expects | Andrew Coffin

Suitable yet uninspired. That about sums up Valiant, a children's film parents may find themselves wishing that they liked much more than they actually do. The UK-produced, Disney-distributed, computer-animated film is set among carrier pigeons in the RHPS (Royal Homing Pigeon Service) during World War II. This seems like a great idea. Certainly it provides a backdrop loaded with far more import than the average cartoon.

Valiant also boasts an incredibly talented voice cast, including British stalwarts Ewan McGregor (as the title bird), Ricky Gervais, Tim Curry, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Laurie, John Cleese, and John Hurt. With all this going for it, Valiant is just . . . OK. The G-rated film contains some impressive animation, some funny dialogue, some exciting action, and some useful examples of courage and fortitude. Valiant never soars the way one expects.