Low-flying tale of hero pigeon has a few too many yawns

Next time you shake your fist at the pigeon that pooped on your freshly washed car, take a moment to ponder this: That bird's forefather may have been a highly decorated World War II hero.

MOVIE REVIEW

VALIANT

DIRECTOR: Gary Chapman

CAST: Ewan McGregor, Ricky Gervais,

John Cleese, Tim Curry

RUNNING TIME: 109 minutes

RATING: G

GRADE: B-

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No really.

Though pigeons are oft scorned as carriers of lice and besmirchers of statues, a new Disney film endeavors to show us the gallant side of those creatures best known as "rats with wings."

"Valiant," a computer-animated film that takes place in Britain during World War II, may be a flight of fancy, but it's one based on fact. During World War I and II pigeons were used to carry secret communiques across enemy-infested territory. Many a bird delivered messages that saved human lives ... or died trying. The Dickin Medal -- the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross -- has been bestowed upon 32 pigeons.

Now, if only the movie about their heroics was nearly so noteworthy.

Brought to us by the producer of "Shrek," this flick tells the story of a pipsqueak pigeon named Valiant (voiced by Ewan McGregor) who longs to be a hotshot flyboy in the Royal Homing Pigeon Service (the bird equivalent of the Air Force). Alas, while Valiant is big on courage, he's small on ... well, he's just plain small.

Nevertheless, Valiant meets Bugsy (British comedian Ricky Gervais), a dirty bird and a lay-about, but a fine feathered friend in the end, and together they join the winged service just as its ranks have been ravaged by the enemy -- a trio of evil falcons lead by Von Talon (Tim Curry).

From here on out, everything you might expect to happen in a war-themed comedy adventure does happen. Our heroes come face-to-face with a hard-ass drill sergeant, they struggle through boot camp, they set out on a dangerous mission, they rescue a prisoner of war, they defeat the bad guys and they get the girls ... er ... doves.

It's a tale with plenty of spirit and a good heart, and yet, this story doesn't so much soar across the screen as it does waddle.

Gervais, best know for creating and acting in the television series "The Office," brings the most pizzazz to the screen. He's a funny man, even when he is playing a bird. Still, this movie is nowhere near as witty as "Shrek" and the laughs are few and far between (the kids at the screening barely gave it a chuckle or two, I noticed between yawns.)

Meanwhile, as far as God's creatures go, pigeons are not the most cuddly or visually appealing things to start with. But the animated pigeons in this picture are so homely in appearance it's difficult to appreciate the superb computer graphics they're constructed of. They look like summer pears ... with Gerber baby faces. It's just plain weird.

My guess is "Valiant" won't send young movie viewers flocking to the pigeon merchandise any time soon.

Winda Benedetti is a Seattle-based freelance writer who can be reached at Goodgirlfriday@gmail.com.