Barnyard: The Original Party Animals (PG)

Cast: Kevin James, Courteney Cox, Sam Elliott, Danny Glover

Review by Matt Rodgers

Nickelodeon Studio's Barnyard pre-production meeting must have been full of self-satisfied suits with a 'guide to animation 101' checklist. The problem is they must have got as far as Number 5 before scrapping the idea for the 'paint by numbers' version because Barnyard is one of the least inspired of the current crop of furry critters cartoons, and the biggest indicator of this is the fact that the lead character is a male cow called Otis.

Are you listening kids? A MALE COW!! WITH UDDERS!!

In the less than capable hands of director Steve Oedekerk (The Nutty Professor, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls) the kiddie friendly plot centres on the all singing, all dancing inhabitants of your run-of-the-mill animated farm and the shenanigans that ensue when the farmers back is turned.

With second rate dimensionless animation that wouldn’t look out of place on Saturday morning television and a less than stellar voice cast featuring Kevin James (Hitch), Courtney Cox (Friends), and Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon), Barnyard rounds up its sparse funny moments and auctions them off on an undernourished plot that will struggle to keep even the most attentive toddlers amused.

Paramount Home Entertainment have announced the UK Region 2 DVD release of Barnyard for 19th February 2007

Extras include:

• All-New Never-Before Seen Animated Music Video – Barnyard Bop
  Join the original party animals as they transform an ordinary barn into a symphony of sounds in this high-energy musical sequence inspired by the off-Broadway rhythmic sensation “Stomp.” Created exclusively for the DVD release, this all-new animated segment stars Otis the cow, Pip the mouse, Freddy the ferret, Peck the rooster, Pig the pig, and the rest of the Barnyard crew
  
• Director/ Cast/ Animators Commentary
  What does it take for a cow to drive a car? How do you get a pig to dance? Get the answer to these and other questions in a light-hearted commentary by Barnyard writer, director and producer Steve Oedekerk, producer Paul Marshal, animation supervisor Todd Grimes and animators TJ Sullivan and Dimitri Joannides
  
• Mud Music Video
  The North Mississippi All-Stars perform the title track from Barnyard
  
• Boogying in the Barn
  Find out how the original party animals got their groove in this featurette showcasing the hill country, blues-infused rock and roll music created for the film by the talented music trio North Mississippi All-Stars
  
• Utter Talent – Voices For Barnyard
  Highlighting the star-studded voice-cast, this program features interviews with the film talent including Kevin James, Courtney Cox, Wanda Sykes Andie MacDowell and Sam Elliot
  
• Method Acting With Kevin James
  A revealing look at how bonding with cows helped comic actor Kevin James (voice of Otis) connect with his inner “Otis”
  
• 7 Deleted Scenes
  Seven deleted scenes in various stages of production – from storyboards to animatics and final animation – with optional commentary from the filmmakers
  
• An Animator’s Life
  Ever wonder what the life of an animator is really like? Go behind the scenes to meet the team that brought this laugh-packed adventure to life
  
• Alternate Opening Sequence “Stomp”
  
• Nick On-Air Campaign Spots
  
• Previews of Upcoming Kids Movies And Games