During the 1980s and 90s, Mel Gibson was one of Hollywood’s most prominent stars, leading blockbuster franchises like Lethal Weapon and Mad Max while also headlining historical epics such as Braveheart and The Patriot. However, one of his most unconventional roles came in 2000 when he voiced Rocky, a charismatic rooster in Aardman Animations’ Chicken Run. The stop-motion film, a clever parody of The Great Escape, remains the highest-grossing film of its kind nearly a quarter of a century later and is now available to stream on Netflix.
Directed by Aardman visionaries Peter Lord and Nick Park, Chicken Run applies the celebrated British humor of their Wallace and Gromit series to a grim chicken farm that operates like a World War II prisoner-of-war camp. The setting becomes a matter of life and death when the farm’s owners, the Tweedys, decide that selling chicken pies is more profitable than selling eggs. The flock’s only hope arrives in the form of Rocky, whose claims of being able to fly inspire the hens to plan a grand escape.
The central conceit is that Rocky is a fraud, a fact Gibson’s charmingly confident performance makes both humorous and endearing. His voice work is a standout element of the film, adding an essential layer of swagger to the character and making the role one of the most memorable in his diverse filmography.
Beyond its sharp writing and stellar performances, Chicken Run is a triumph of stop-motion animation. The painstaking art form required a team of 80 animators working across 30 intricate sets, with each minute of screen time demanding a full week of meticulous labor. This dedication to craft is visible in every frame, from the detailed character models to the ambitious, action-packed finale that pushes the boundaries of the medium.
The studio’s immense effort paid off, as Chicken Run became a critical and commercial success. The film earned $225 million worldwide on a $45 million budget and still holds an impressive 97% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
With its recent arrival on Netflix, a new generation has the opportunity to discover this animated classic. Its unique blend of slapstick comedy, heartfelt storytelling, and high-stakes adventure ensures that Chicken Run remains a beloved and influential work, showcasing both the magic of Aardman and one of Mel Gibson’s most surprising performances.
