'EARLY MAN': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A British stop-motion animated comedy directed by Nick Park (who also helmed multiple 'WALLACE & GROMIT' shorts, 'CHICKEN RUN' and 'THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT'). The film was written by Mark Burton, James Higginson and Park. It tells a story, set in prehistoric times, about a tribe of early men (and women) who must defend their home from a Bronze Age army, who claim the Stone Age is now over. The movie stars the voice talents of Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams and Timothy Spall. It's received mostly positive reviews from critics, but it bombed at the Box Office. I found it to be funny and mildly amusing, for most of it's running length.

Chief Bobnar (Spall) is the leader of a tribe of cavemen, during the Stone Age, who are forced to flee their home when a Bronze Age army invades it. A caveman named Dug (Redmayne) is unknowingly captured by the army, and he's then mistaken for a football player, and is forced to play a public game. During the game his identity is discovered, and the army's leader, Lord Nooth (Hiddleston), orders that he be executed. Dug challenges the Bronze team to a football game instead though, and requests that if his team wins they should be able to return to their valley. Nooth agrees to the challenge, but only under the agreement that if Doug's team loses they'll be forced to work in the mines instead.

The movie is amusing in a similar way to all of Nick Park's animation I think. It's definitely funny more than it's not, and the characters are all likable and entertaining. The basic premise for the film isn't that interesting to me though. I think the whole cavemen playing football concept is kind of a dull idea for a movie. Thankfully most of the film is still amusing though.