Sequel a mixed bag that still provides some chuckles

The Angry Birds Movie 2

(PG, 97 mins)

Directed by Thurop Van Orman and John Rice Reviewed by James Croot ★★★

Having seen off the initial porcine threat to Bird Island, Red (Jason Sudeikis) now relishes the cheerful conflict with their piggy neighbours. He enjoys the low-level pranking and the chance to one-up his rival Leonard (Bill Hader).

Having the island always on constant alert also allows him to continue to be the centre of attention. So it’s with some concern and suspicion that he greets multiple missives from Leonard seeking a truce.

However, while known as something of a ham, the hog leader isn’t being a swine this time. Pig Island has come under attack from a third atoll, located between the Birdlantic and Pigsific Oceans. It looks like a frozen, sea-infested iceberg, but someone there is hurling giant snowballs at them and the frequency is increasing.

As the threat level to both populations rises, Red reluctantly decides to join forces with Leonard and lead a crack team to the source in the hope of shutting it down. However, little do they know that one of their number is the key to the conflict.

After following the tropes of the original video game slavishly for its first outing, there’s a certain freedom that benefits the storytelling in this sequel. Directors Thurop Van Orman (an Adventure Time writer) and John Rice (King of the Hill) and a trio of writers have crafted what is essentially a Bond movie, as our group of heroes try to stop a maniacal criminal mastermind. Naturally, as this is a kids’ movie, there are also ‘‘learnings’’ to be had and scatological humour to enjoy (a urinal heist involving a key card is admittedly a comedic highlight).

This film’s Sony backing also means thematic music assails you at every turn. The bizarrely eclectic soundtrack includes everything from Paula Cole and Sarah McLachlan to Jimmy Buffett, Right Said Fred and Europe.

The impressive vocal cast includes Josh Gad (Frozen), Leslie Jones (Ghostbusters), Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Tiffany Haddish (Girls’ Trip), Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) and Awkwafina (Ocean’s 8).

With its bickering family of disparate cross-species characters and regular segues to a trio of chicks attempting to rescue one of their number’s unhatched siblings, it’s hard not to see the similarities between this and the Ice Age series.

But if you’re after undemanding fare for primary schoolers in the next few weeks that you might also get a chuckle or two from, then

Birds is the word.