Latter-day Saint Movie Review: What Families Need to Know Before Seeing "Angry Birds 2"

Does anyone play the Angry Birds Classic app game anymore? Sony Pictures is hoping so. They raked in $350 million in 2016 for the first The Angry Birds and would love a repeat for their sequel. Did you like the first one? If yes, then you might get a kick out of this one. If not, then skip it. Do you even remember anything about the first movie? Nope, neither do I. Audiences are mostly wondering why this movie exists. This sequel seems like an obvious cash grab and a desperate attempt to revive the app.

This animation is very colorful, filled with pop culture references, and directed by Thurop Van Orman. There’s really only one line in the beginning that sums up what happened in the first The Angry Birds movie. If you haven’t seen it, you might be a little confused in the beginning. I’ll catch you up: birds vs. pigs. This sequel explores their relationship further and introduces a new type of villain.

The talented voice cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Awkwafina, Sterling Brown, Peter Dinklage, Zach Woods, Nicki Minaj, David Dobrik, Tiffany Haddish, and SNL favorites Maya Rudolph, Leslie Jones, Bill Hader, and Pete Davidson. Fans of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend will be happy to hear the voice talents of Rachel Bloom.

There are a lot of cute visual and musical gags, although some of the humor falls flat. Many of the gags will go over your kid’s head and, in some cases, it’s a good thing. There is also a lot of fast-moving action. Act three went a bit scientific and technical, so young kids won’t quite understand what’s going on, but they’ll still be entertained. Parents may quickly become annoyed by all of the frantic yelling.

There’s a side story with three hatchlings that is pretty cute. Their little voices are super adorable. The plot wanders around and appears easily distracted. Some of the characters are more annoying than funny. There’s no need to race out to theaters to watch this movie. This is one of those movies that plays in the background at your house to keep the kids occupied while you try to pay your bills or mop the floor. You know what I mean?

Some themes within the movie you should be aware of before watching it with your family:

• Bullying
• Name-calling
• There is no profanity but there are a lot of “cleanish” versions of profanity. In one scene, it shows a bird spewing profanity while a horn bleeps out all of the words. Some religious exclamations are in the film.
• A comical mating dance. Your kids might ask what that means.
• A lot of the birds are angry often (obviously).
• Some signs with misspelled words on them.
• Jokes about body fluids and sounds. One scene shows male birds peeing in urinals in a bathroom.
• Talk of “toxic masculinity.”
• A “love child” is revealed, which seems very odd for a children’s movie, right? Your kids might have questions about what that’s all about.
• Kids will love the hijinks and shenanigans. Do they even know those words or am I sounding really old just now? The story is a bit confusing, so they may not understand what’s going on, but they’ll be entertained nonetheless.
• Some of the birds drink alcohol.
• There are many shots of pig and bird rear ends.

• Unity, teamwork
• Love, friendship
• The importance of being liked
• Tolerance for others who are not like you
• “We are strongest when we all band together.” —Red (Jason Sudeikis)

Lead image from IMDb