This post is a result of a press trip sponsored by Relativity Media where I participated in parent blogger roundtables with the cast. My opinions remain my own.Â
With the plot of the movie being described by the studio as this. . .
In this hilarious, adventurous buddy comedy for audiences of all ages, directed by Jimmy Hayward (Horton Hears a Who!), two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history – and get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu for good.
. . . many of the bloggers wondered, “Would children ever want to eat turkey again?”
Director Jimmy Hayward addressed it this way: “I think it’s natural for characters who want to try and protect themselves in all these types of films. In all the movies that I’ve worked on, it’s insects trying to keep from getting killed (A Bug’s Life), toys trying to keep from getting killed (Toy Story). I think it’s part of the natural obstacles you face in an adventure picture. Most of your kids probably still smash toys. I’m not too worried.
I think the most important thing for this movie, for me, was to make an entertaining and emotionally resonant film about two characters. The main message in this movie is that you’re absolutely part of something bigger than just yourself. It’s not about turkey or being a vegan or anything like that, because we all know that turkeys don’t talk–well, at least not to us. And they don’t fly in time machines named Steve.
Jimmy Hayward: I kind of think that everybody is a nine year old boy. I think at the end of the day, I like really intelligent jokes that work on two levels so that adults will get the reference and kids will laugh at the event. I love comedy like that. When you make comedy for everybody, that’s the most difficult type of comedy to make — and the most rewarding — when it works. When you sit in a theater and you’ve got 1,000 people laughing at the same thing, you touch the same button on everybody, that’s the greatest response. It’s that type of comedy that I think appeals to the nine year old boy or girl in all of us.
That boy of mine hasn’t seen the movie yet. I plan on taking him this weekend, but he did like the hat (that one of you can win below).
My thoughts on the movie
My kids enjoy the perks of my writing gig here at 5 Minutes for Mom and 5 Minutes for Books. They like “getting free stuff,” and now that my daughter is a teenager, she thinks it’s really cool that I get to see movies early and interview celebrities.
We saw some early previews at other kid movies this summer. When she found out I was attending the Free Birds junket, she said, “Well, it doesn’t matter what the movie is. It’s always cool to do those things,” so I was thinking she wasn’t really feeling it. She’s 15, and not the targeted audience, but she’s very interested in animation and still enjoys “family films.” When we saw the poster advertising “The Greatest Turkey Movie of All Time,” we both laughed and figured it would at least live up to that!
You can probably see that I wasn’t expecting much out of this movie, but perhaps having low expectations was a good thing, because I ended up enjoying it. I laughed a lot as I was watching it, and I especially knew that my son will think that it was hilarious. I told my daughter that I think she’ll like it too, so we all plan to see it opening weekend.
There is somewhat of an historical element with real characters such as Miles Standish and William Bradford, but there is a disclaimer at the beginning, saying that it’s not history, even though some of the people are real, the way they are portrayed is not necessarily based in fact. But I liked all the clever elements, like time travel and how the turkeys tried to outsmart the colonists. The other thing I appreciated is there didn’t seem to be a lot of that typical kid potty humor. In fact, Jimmy Hayward says that he has a “no fart joke” policy.
- Visit the official website
- Like FREE BIRDS on Facebook
- Subscribe on YouTube
- Follow @FreeBirdsMovie on Twitter and Instagram #FreeBirds
Be sure to check out my interviews with Amy Poehler and Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson (you’ll get bonus entries for commenting on them).
I would take my son and grandson
i would take my daughter 🙂
my children Ages 7,5,3
I plan on taking my two little grandsons to see this.
I will take my fiance to see this.
I would take my son
I will take my son to see this movie
i would take my daughter
I would take my co-worker, who’s a single mom, and her six year old son.
My grandkids would love it.
I would take my kiddies to see this. Good giveaway! Thanks. 🙂
I would take my youngest daughter. thank you!!
i would take my daughter
I would to be able to take my granddaughter to see this movie
I would take my grandchildren.
My nephews would love this!
I would take my three kids and my husband. This looks like a funny movie.
I would take my three kids and my husband. This looks like a funny movie we could all enjoy together.
I would take my three kids and my husband. This looks like a funny movie we could all enjoy together
We would take our granddaughter.
I’ll take my three grandsons to see it!
I’d take my son
I would take my nieces and nephews.
I would take my little brother. 🙂
My oldest granddaughter.
I would like to see it because I believe my boys would enjoy (and me too).
I’ll take my little girl!
I will take all 5 of my kids
I’m going to take my daughter!
I love the Thanksgiving holiday. I am so excited for this year, I actually get to spend it with my family.
i would take my nephew
I would take my son.
I will take my two oldest boys!
I will take my son to see this movie
My daughter, she wants to see it.
id love to watch this with my son jordan
I’d take my grandchildren to see this movie.
I will take my son to see this movie 🙂
shebebes@yahoo.com
I would take my daughter and son
I would go with my husband & son
I would take my daughter with me.
I would take my daughter.
I will take my husband and kids to go see this movie.
I’m taking my Niece and Nephew to see Free Birds. We all can’t wait!
I’ll take my wife, kids, and neices
I’d take my niece and nephew
I will be taking my niece to see this movie
I’ll have to watch it at home through Netflix!
i’ll take my nephew.
I would take my 2 sons
I would take my daughter
I would like to take my son and daughter to see this movie.
I will take my daughter- she deserves this as she has worked hard this year in school.
I would take my 3 boys
We just saw this one today! Super cute. I took my 2 girls.
I’ll be taking my kids to see this!
I’d take my sister.
I would take my niece to see it.
I’d take my husband.
I would take my husband and little girl.
I’d take my grandsons
I would take my nieces!
Will be taking my step-daughter
I will be taking my nephew.
My son and daughter
annabella @ centurytel dot net
Cute movie. I would take my granddaughter to see this movie. Thanks.
I would take my fiance!
I would take my son.
I’d like to take my niece, nephew and kids
I would take my niece.
I will take my kids.
my sons and I will go to see it
i would take my daughter!
I would take my hubby & son =)
I’d take my niece.
I’d take my hubby with me.
I would take my nephew.
I’d take my nephew
I will take my husband and son.
My nephew would enjoy this.
I would take my sons to see this movie, Free Birds.
i will take my grandson Evan
The whole family will go
I’d take my sis and nephews.
I would definitely take my three sons and my mom to the movie! The kids have been waiting for the movie to come out! Thanks for the giveaway!
My nephew would love this!
i would take my son to the movies
i’m going to take my family to see it.
my son will is dying to see this movie, ever since he got a free birds bracelet from chuck e cheeses on his birthday
I would take my family to see this.
I will take the girls I babysit for (9 and 7) to see this awesome movie! Thanks!
I would take my husband and 2 daughters
I would like to bring my kids to this movie
My mom would like it.
I will take my husband and son
I heard great things about this movie. I would love to take my son and my nephew.
I would take my mom
I’ll take the kids
I will take my grandson
I will take my son
I would take my son.
the kids will love it!
I’d take niece and nephews.
My friend’s daughter, so she can have a night off!
I plan on taking my 8 yr old grand child
I would take my son.
My kids of course! And maybe my hubs! LOL
coriwestphal at msn dot com
My hubby – he loves animated movies!
my husband and little girl
my kids and husband
I’ll take my kids to see it
my son really wants to see this. He was talking about it for weeks before I even saw a preview for the first time
I would take my children and husband to see FreeBirds.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I would take my best friend and her son!
I would take my husband and kids. They would love going.
I would take my children with me.
I’d take my daughter 🙂
I’d take my wife.
My grandkids would really enjoy this!
i would take my nephews
I will take my son.
I’d take my nephew and niece to see the film!
I would take my nephews.
My wife and two sons.
My little brother and sister.
I would take my kids
I woulf take my son
I’d take my son.
my son
nannypanpan@gmail.com
I will be taking my two young cousins.
I would take my daughter and niece.
I will take my grandson and fiance.
The hubs – he’s a 9 year old boy for sure :+)
I’d have to take a girlfriend for maximum fun!
I would take my kids and my hubby
I’ll take my grandchildren
My niece and my daughter.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
My cousin! We both love holiday movies.
I will take my daughter and husband.
I would take my grandbaby.
I will take my kids, and my husband! We are looking forward to seeing this movie!
I would take my niece of course! Thanks for the giveaway!!
id take my niece
I’ll take my girl Erin to go see it
I would take my kids.
I would take my grandson.
I’d take my sister!
my two kids
my two nephews
I would take my nephew to see the movie.
my beautiful granddaughters!
I would take my daughter.
I would take my husband to see it
I would like to take my niece to see this movie.
I am a caregiver for a developmentally disabled man. I would definitely take him and we’d enjoy this together!
I will take my son.
i’d take my nephew
I would take my husband and son!
I would take my two grandkids, I think they would love the movie. Thanks
I would take my mother to see it.
My 9 year old would love it!
I am using this blog to determine if “FreeBirds” is an appropriate film to encourage our children’s and family ministry to attend as a group event in two weeks…so, I’m bringing a ‘rafter’ of children and families. 🙂
I will take my 3 kids.
I will take my daughter to see this movie!
I will take my granddaughter
I’d take my 5 yr old daughter!
I’ll take my son!
id take my daughter
I would take my son to see it.
I would go with my husband and twins! Thanks so much
I’ll take the kids
I will take my son
I will take my son jake.
Probably my friend from church or send tickets to grandchildren in cali . Their mom is having a very hard time getting them things. I think it would be a great treat for them.
I am going to take my daughter to see this movie!
I would go with my nephew!
I’d take my sister
My son, husband, and new step-son
I would take my mom and sister to the movie.
I will take my son to see this movie.
My little cousin!
I will take my kids. They are 6 and 9 and can’t wait to see this movie.
I will take my great nephew.
The whole families
I would take my hubby and three kids
I would take my two kids and hubby.
I would take my two best friends.
I would take my nephew
I would take my kids! This looks like a lot of fun 🙂
I would take My niece, i think shed like it.
I would see this movie with my whole family.
I would take my sons and maybe my sister.
I would take my kids. They would love it.
I will take my hubby.
I want to take my son!
My son wants to see this movie so we will prbably make it a family outing
will be taking my niece and her friends to see this
I will take my grandson to see the movie.
I’ll take my nephew 🙂
My two kids!
I’m going to take my grandson to see this cute movie
I am taking my son
I think my kids would love this movie.
I’d definitely take my nephew to see this movie.
I’d take my 11 yoa step-daughter to watch the movie. Thanks.
I would take my son to the movie!
I’d take my boys.
I can’t wait to see this with my daughter.
My nieces would love it!
I’ll take my husband
My son and daughter!
my daughter and niece
I would take my son daughter and niece
I’ll take my husband
I’ll take my cousin.
I would bring my brother and my mom
I would take my kids!
I would take my niece.
I would take my 7 year old Grand daughter Julia to see this movie.
I will take my grandson
I will take my kids to see this
I will take my son
I will take my husband.
my nephews are who I would love to take to see the movie.
My step daughter wants to see this so I’d take her and one of her friends. They would love wearing the turkey hat at the theater! Thanks for the chance to win.
I would take my daughter!
I would take my son
I would take my ten year old twin girls. They would love this movie.
I would take my son.
I would take my son to see the movie.
I will take my niece and nephew.
I think I will go see it with my mom over thanksgiving break.
My three kids
I will bring my grandkids!
I will take my niece.
xo
I’ll take my sweetheart to see this movie.
I will take my mom since we always go to the movies together
I will take my wife and kids.
My daughter keeps begging for me to take her!
I’d take the grand kids – they’d love it!
Thank you.
I would love to take my daughter to see this!
will take my son
i’ll take the whole family
I would take my niece to see this movie.
I’d Take My Niece!
I’ll take my daughter
My boyfriend and I would like to see this.
my daughter
kport207 at gmail dot com
I’ll take my boy & girl to go see it and maybe their grandparents if they’re available
I would take my kids to see this movie.
I’m going to take my two boys!
i will take the grandkids
I’d take my kids with me.
Thanks so much.
i will take my nephew to see free birds
rypm25@aol.com
I will take my daughter to see Free Birds
I’ll go with my nephew
I’ll take my daughter
I will take my daughters
My nephew would get a kick out of this movie.
Thanks for the contest.
I’d take my sister!
I’d take my two kids!
I would take my Nephew
I will take my daughter and mom to see this movie.
I’ll take my children to see the movie
I will definitely take my sister.
We plan on taking both the kids to see this movie. They love the ads on TV and can’t wait.
I will take the entire family. Love that it is perfect for everyone.
my boyfriend and would go! we’re not afraid to see cute movies like this!
Would take my sons
My 2 Grandkids – so the $GC would come in handy, since movie tickets are sooo expensive now! Thanks for the chance, they really want to see this!
I’ll take the kids
I would take my nephew Paul to this movie. He is 10 years old.
I will take my kids to see the movie
I would take my daughter.
The hubby would enjoy this movie!
My daughter would enjoy it.
I’d take my sister.
I’ll take my grandson.
I would love to take my grandson to see Free Birds Movie.
My two youngest daughters
I would take my children and my husband to see it.
I would take my son to see this movie, Thank you!
I will take my mom. She will love it. Thanks.
I would take my daughter and husband.
I will take my grandson to see this movie.
I will take my grandson
My nephew will love this movie
I’d take my family!
I will be taking my daughter.
I will take my kids to see it.
My son would go with me.
my grandchildren will go with me
I’d take my family 🙂
I would take my niece and nephew with my daughter.
I’ll be taking my nieces and nephews!
I’ll take my niece!
I would like to take my son to see this movie.
I would take my grandson to see this movie!
I would take my kids and husband
i wanna take my daughter
I will take my son
I would take my niece and nephew.
Hub and and kids
I would take my kids. The movie looks good.
I will be taking all the kids with me!
I would take DDs to see this movie
I would take my 3 kids.
I would take my sons!
I will take my son
My 7 year old son and my 12 year old daughter would love this
My 5 year old son wants to see this!
I would take my grandchildren to see this. They would love it.
I’d take my kids and husband.
I would take my son
id take my niece
I would take my 5 and 8 yr olds.
i will take my husband