Angry Birds 2 – A Worthy Sequel, Celebrating Teamwork – and Girls in S.T.E.M! [Movie Review]
By: Laura Bennett
An addictive video game may have spawned the Angry Birds franchise, but don’t let that turn you off the movie.
Red (Jason Sudeikis) and his misfit friends Chuck and Bomb (Josh Gad and Danny McBride), are taking their feud with the Island of Green Pigs to the next level, when a new threat emerges that could unite the warring islands. Once hailed as a standalone hero for previously protecting the birds, Red has to swallow his pride and work with a team to save the day, and let other ‘heroes’ take the lead.
It may be a movie for the kids, but Angry Birds 2 is worthwhile for all ages.
Red is adapting to stepping out of the limelight, realising how much his hero status had covered over his need for friendship and connection. If the islands make a truce, will Red still be needed? What will he do with his time?
In a recent interview actor Jason Sudeikis said he liked exploring that aspect of Red’s journey.
“[In the wake of] ‘faded glory’ you get the opportunity to show ones true character,” Jason said.
“How someone deals with that when they’ve been at the top of the mountain [and then] situations change; how do you descend that peak?”
Red doesn’t always do it with grace, and pride does come before the fall, but he starts to understand why his team matters, and the importance of letting them into his life.
Angry Birds 2 also introduces us to Silver, Chuck’s sister. Silver is a flamboyant yet process-oriented engineer, whose skills come in handy when Bird Island’s inhabitants have to defend their home. Her role encourages kids to celebrate being smart, and to confidently use their skills to serve people around them.
Voiced by Rachel Bloom (Portlandia, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Bloom said “[Silver’s] got pigtails and pink eyebrows – these things that you would associated with ‘being a girl’, but she’s in a S.T.E.M. field; I’m so excited for little girls to see this movie [because] I know she would’ve inspired me as a little kid.”
Silver is a sweet addition to the movie, and when one young bird sees her prowess and exclaims, “I want to be an engineer!” it’s easy to imagine your own kids doing the same.
Angry Birds 2 is a win for families, with a stellar soundtrack and clean laughs that will stop any bird from being angry.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
About the Author: Laura is a media professional, broadcaster and writer from Sydney, Australia.
