Pixar has spoiled me. Thanks to films like Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo, I don’t just want an animated movie to appeal to my inner child—I also expect it to engage me as a grownup. Chicken Little has all of the elements of a good animated feature: The story is fast and fun, the main characters are memorable, the animation is outstanding, and it’s got a high warm-and-fuzzy quotient. It just lacks that intangible quality that will inspire the same loyalty and repeat viewings in pre- and postpubescents.

In this retelling of the popular Chicken Little fable, it’s neither acorn nor falling sky that hits our half-pint hero on the head, but some kind of alien spacecraft. Amidst Chik’s efforts to save the planet, he must make amends with his father who never seems to have faith in him. The computer-generated animation is rich in color and detail, both rendered very well in the DVD’s 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer. My husband commented that, between screaming characters, alien attacks, and a host of 1970s-era tunes, this was the loudest kids’ movie he’s ever seen. The Dolby Digital 5.1 will definitely give your complete 5.1 ensemble a good workout. Bonus content is limited by Disney standards—a few deleted scenes, several short making-of featurettes, a trivia game, and some music video/karaoke sequences.

All in all, it’s a solid package that children will enjoy. I just don’t see adults greeting it with the same level of enthusiasm.