The year is 1939, the war is reaching boiling point for the allied forces. The fierce German Falcons have almost completely wiped out the Royal Homing Pigeon Service, some new recruits will have to be enlisted asap.

The most decorated pigeon ever, Wing Commander Gutsy (voiced by John Cleese), flies into the small town of West Nesting to try and find some new recruits. The short but fiery Valiant (voiced by Ewan McGregor) insists on enlisting, much to the amusement of the locals. He informs his overprotective mother 'it is time to leave the nest'.

Valiant flies to London to enlist. He has not even landed when he finds himself in the company of the unreliable Bugsy (voiced by Ricky Gervais). Bugsy finds himself unintentionally enlisted to fly and you begin to wonder is there more to his character than his layabout attitude portrays.

Things are not going very well for Squad F, which consists of Valiant, Bugsy, the brothers Tail Feather and Tipwood with the posh Lofty completing the line-up. With their training only half complete, they are informed they are the last remaining squad and must report for duty immediately. Things get worse as they drop into France and Wing Commander Gutsy goes MIA. With their leader presumed dead a strong pigeon is required to lead the group, and who better than Valiant the smallest pigeon in the history of the RHCP. But can Valiant and his inexperienced squad brave the English Channel and avoiding the ferocious falcons?

Valiant comes from the Oscar-winning producer of Shrek, it is a humorous film with a lively cast and amazing animation. But, while the animated London looks completely lifelike, the story could use an extra half hour. Valiant runs for a mere seventy-five minutes, so you will probably have only eaten half your popcorn by the time the credits are rolling.

John Casement

Valiant is released on 25th March 2005.
Valiant – official website