Moviegoers would do well to ignore ads proclaiming that "Valiant" is "from the producer of 'Shrek.'" While it is true that one of the 11 producers credited on this film was also one of the nine listed for "Shrek," the obvious insinuation — that this new tale has the imagination and verve of its predecessor — is something only an advertiser could believe. Read the full review
A brave but undersized pigeon named Valiant dreams of joining the elite Royal Homing Pigeon Service during World War II. Because of a shortage of wingpower in the royal fleet due to increased attacks by a brigade of vicious enemy falcons, Valiant and the unlikely heroes of "Squad F" must fly into harm's way and prove that it's not the wingspan that counts, but the size of the spirit.
Director: Gary Chapman
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Jim Broadbent, John Cleese, Tim Curry, Rupert Everett
Run time: 109 minutes
Release date: August 19, 2005
Rating: G.
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Quicktime
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: C+
"Given the recent tragedies in London, it's rather nice timing for a movie that celebrates British stiff-upper-lip resilience."
Cox News Service: C+
"The majority of the movie is a conflict not between good and evil but between genres. Ultimately, with no clear objective, there's no clear winner."
Austin American-Statesman: 2 of 5 stars
"It's as average as Shrek was outstanding."
The Palm Beach Post: C
"The film starts promisingly enough with a chipper, period-perfect black-and-white newsreel on the war effort, but the adult humor level soon falls away..."
