The second Angry Birds film

An Enhanced Sequence

The first iteration of Angry Birds wasn't really my thing. I watch a lot of animated movies, and whether I'm watching them with my kids, by myself, or with friends, there's something innately carefree and straightforward about it.

The Angry Birds Movie had the impression of being a movie that was released much too late in its intended lifecycle; a cash-in to the games that came out five years too late and didn't really generate enough interest for its formulaic plot and forced humour.

With a solid selection of gags, a lighthearted plot, and a feel-good vibe permeating its 90 minutes, Angry Birds 2 succeeds in achieving what the first movie failed to do with its wooden pig-filled structures.

Pig King Leonard and Red reluctantly agree to a truce between their two warring races in this sequel to the previous film because quirky Zeta poses a greater, more immediate threat.

Zeta has plans 

Red and Leonard assemble an oddball crew for a robbery in which they infiltrate Eagle Island and attempt to stop Zeta before it's too late. Zeta has plans to turn both islands into her own little paradise.

It's all quite conventional, but it's also a movie that's targeted at kids rather than rambling aimlessly between age groups like the original movie did.

A funny small subplot that involves three hatchlings fleeing after their eggs and makes several references to the squirrel jokes in Ice Age is scattered throughout this story.

The pay-off in the movie's last sequences in particular keeps this feeling distinctive in its own way, but it's also highly recognisable to anyone familiar with the animated genre.

Angry Birds 2 has stunning visuals and audio. Angry Birds 2 packs as many jokes and quips into its 90 minute running time as it dares, creating the perfect balance between humour and action that is likely to please the young audience. This includes using loud, colourful colours and over-the-top music and comedy.

Bomb and Chuck

There is enough here to make it a worthwhile movie trip with the kids this holiday, even though adults may find themselves spotting a few scripted gags and the longevity of this is unlikely to see it reappear on the DVD player in the months to come.

The characters all have their own one-liners, though occasionally this works against Angry Birds since only Red and Mighty Eagle see any significant character growth over the course of the 90 minutes.

While the jokes are typically quite clever, some, like Bomb and Chuck, are only there for the humour.

There is certain to be something you find hilarious in here, as one full sequence featuring an Eagle costume is so absurdly written that can't help but laugh along with the jokes.

It's heartwarming material, and for the most part, Angry Birds 2 captures this mood throughout the entire game.

Animated film

The Angry Birds Movie 2 is comparable to a respectable amusement park ride. Although it may not be the best on offer or have the greatest thrills, it does what it does well enough to provide for a short-term entertaining ride.

There is enough here to make it an entertaining trip even though it is unlikely to be an animated film with the same longevity as something like Despicable Me or the Pixar Animations.

It's a fantastic alternative for the kids this summer, and the humour has just the right amount of variation to keep adults from becoming bored as well. Even if it is far from flawless, the fact that it is an improvement over the first film alone makes it worthwhile to see.