Valiant

Directed by Gary Chapman

Voices: Ewan Mac Gregor, Ricky Gervais, Tim Curry, John Cleese, Olivia Williams

Classification: U

The timing was perfect for Valiant to be released following the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Second World War. A way for Malta to do something to commemorate this victory is to go and watch this cartoon…

This animated family comedy tells the story of a small pigeon, who becomes a hero in Great Britain’s Royal Homing Pigeon Service during World War II. The mission of the pigeons is highly important; they have to fly vital messages across the English Channel, while evading the perilous attacks of the enemy’s Falcon brigade. They are even responsible for the organisation of D-Day!

I personally thought it was a good idea for a cartoon, because it uses animal characters to replace the action of humans, but here, the role played by the animals during the war has not been made-up! Pigeons actually helped during the war! We are told at the end of the film that a number of animals received a medal for their services.

Valiant is a really small and cute pigeon. He looks like a baby pigeon and he makes people smile when he says that he wants to become an adventurer. Valiant admires the great “aviators” and he wants to be a hero, he is determined to work hard, to train and be wounded in the service his country. Throughout the film he repeats: “it is my duty!”

“I want to serve the country”… he tells his colleague who prefers his freedom, saying that people need them and they have to “do their bit”. Here again, with nationalism cartoons are always the best medium for propaganda!

Apart from the story and its message, I think the way the pigeons were drawn was not very good, but all the special effects are very impressive, we can almost see each feather moving when the pigeons fly. The way of representing the pigeons as aviators, complete with sunglasses and leather jackets is quite funny and imaginative. And I liked the parody of the army, the relationships between the chiefs and the soldiers, the way the orders are given… So let’s just say the whole film is generally funny and entertaining.