Free Birds
Relativity Media | Release Date: November 1, 2013 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
38
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews
Positive:
5
Mixed:
10
Negative:
12
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
76
Film.comKate ErblandOct 30, 2013
A more than worthy (and weird) holiday diversion for the whole family. Read full review
63
USA TodayClaudia PuigNov 1, 2013
Free Birds is pleasant enough holiday fare. And kudos to the animators for transforming a rather unattractive — or at least unappreciated — species into a cast of endearing characters. Read full review
63
Chicago Sun-TimesBill ZweckerOct 31, 2013
While the overall concept of the script is pretty creative and original, at several points along the way the storyline gets a bit muddled. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeTom RussoOct 31, 2013
At an hour and a half, the action in Free Birds gets stretched thin. It’s Thanksgiving fare, sure, but it only partly satisfies our hankering. Read full review
63
Washington PostStephanie MerryOct 31, 2013
Free Birds has the colorful palette, zippy action and silly story to keep kids giggling, but it also delivers a few worthwhile winks to parents. Read full review
60
The GuardianPeter BradshawNov 29, 2013
Enjoyable, with some funny lines. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterMichael RechtshaffenOct 29, 2013
Although it seldom approaches the inspiration of its plucky premise... Free Birds nevertheless manages to avoid being branded a holiday turkey. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesSheri LindenOct 31, 2013
With its flat punch lines, formulaic action and undercooked mélange of messages — touching on everything from factory farming to genocide — the film waddles awkwardly. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyStephan LeeOct 30, 2013
In the end, the jokes simply aren’t funny enough to lift these flight-challenged fowl off the ground. Read full review
50
VarietyJustin ChangOct 29, 2013
A cute but disposable item were it not for the story’s weird racial undertow. Read full review
50
Village VoiceStephanie ZacharekOct 29, 2013
Like so many modern animated features, Free Birds packs too much in; the picture feels cramped and cluttered, and, despite its occasionally manic action, it moves as slowly as a fattened bird waddling toward its doom. Read full review
42
The A.V. ClubKevin McFarlandOct 30, 2013
The best moments are jokes that feel grafted onto a film that was probably close to completion before anyone involved realized they were portraying a fight between turkeys and English settlers as the largest conflict in the European colonization of North America. Read full review
40
EmpireOlly RichardsNov 25, 2013
Not bootiful. Read full review
40
New York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanNov 1, 2013
Children, of course, won’t notice the political subtext. But do be prepared for them to exit the theater demanding that you make only Tofurkey in the future. Read full review
40
Arizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzOct 31, 2013
The folks behind Free Birds are trying to entertain us. But they rarely succeed. Read full review
38
RogerEbert.comChristy LemireNov 1, 2013
Everything about Free Birds feels perfunctory, from its generic title and holiday setting to its starry voice cast and undistinguished use of 3-D. Read full review
38
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam LaceyOct 31, 2013
Well-intended but maladroit, with a clever premise and cute animation that are undermined by the trite sci-fi parody plot and manic, unfunny banter. Read full review
38
New York PostSara StewartOct 31, 2013
A forgettable — and occasionally borderline offensive — animated tale of turkeys trying to take back Thanksgiving. Read full review
38
McClatchy-Tribune News ServiceRoger MooreOct 31, 2013
Frozen, undercooked and sorely lacking much in the way of “all the trimmings,” this turkey isn’t ready to serve. Read full review
30
The New York TimesMiriam BaleOct 31, 2013
Free Birds is likely to leave audiences fuzzy-headed and vaguely nauseated instead of nourished and satisfied. Read full review
30
Austin ChronicleLouis BlackOct 31, 2013
Free Birds falls flat, despite its good intentions, ideological cuteness, humorous polish, and skillful computer animation. The fine voice talents of the almost-ideal cast are wasted. Read full review
30
The DissolveScott TobiasOct 30, 2013
Free Birds feels like Hollywood brining small children for the blockbusters they’ll pay to see when they’re older. It’s littered with quips, but the film puts a premium on loud, effects-driven action that mistakes nonstop intensity for cartoony entertainment. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChroniclePeter HartlaubOct 31, 2013
In execution, the film is all sidekicks and sight gags, with little story cohesion or purpose. Read full review
25
Slant MagazineChris CabinOct 31, 2013
The film is absent of humor and thrills, and accented with designs and color schemes that are equally notable for their lack of risk. Read full review
20
Total FilmCurtis WoloschukNov 29, 2013
Any comparisons with Chicken Run are rendered poultry by half-baked gags. Even tykes will tell it to get stuffed. Read full review
20
Time OutKeith UhlichOct 31, 2013
To call this a turkey would be an insult to poultry. Read full review
16
The PlaylistDrew TaylorOct 30, 2013
The characters are so two-dimensional that a meaningful connection with the material isn't elusive; it's downright impossible. Read full review
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