Release Date:  August 4, 2006
Rating:  G (for mild peril and rude humor)
Genre:  Animation/Drama
Run Time:  88 min.
Director:  Steve Oedekerk
Actors:  Kevin James, Courteney Cox, Joe DiMaggio, Sam Elliott, Danny Glover, and Andie MacDowell

Have you noticed how often God seems to speak through movies to highlight the issues that are closest to His heart?  Last year the movie “Dreamer” powerfully spoke to those shattered by broken dreams and desperate for restoration, and several recent movies, such as “Chicken Little” and “Curious George” highlighted issues related to the need for good fathering.  In the same vein, Paramount’s “Barnyard” is a vivid portrayal of the need for children to model their lives after strong, sacrificial role models.

“Barnyard” tells the story of a lively little farm that looks normal at first glance but comes alive whenever the farmer leaves.  Chickens quit clucking and start jabbering in English; pigs quit oinking and start arguing; mules and cows stand up and walk on their hind legs, and the whole group organizes themselves into town meetings and crazy dances.  The highly respected cow, Ben (Sam Elliott) is the group’s leader who, though soft-spoken, is always wise, selfless, and in control. (Incidentally, there are boy cows in this movie, complete with pink udders … Hmm …).

On one particular occasion, Ben is searching for his party-boy, Otis (Kevin James), who is late for the meeting.  It seems that Otis and his cronies have taken off for a joy ride and are “surfing” down a nearby mountain, almost getting themselves killed.  When they finally do return to the meeting, Otis is distracted by his cell phone and a call from an underground rat who supplies interested parties with contraband.  Finally, Ben has had enough, and he pulls Otis aside to have a man-to-man, or cow-to-cow talk.  Ben warns his party-boy son that it’s time to grow up and take responsibility and to become what he was destined to be:  a leader and protector.

The problem is that Otis just wants to get back to the party.  After all, he’s scheduled to do a song and dance number.  So, instead of fulfilling his duty and taking his turn as the watch-cow on the hill, he gets his dad to agree to filling in the watch duties for the night, and Otis scurries back to have his fun.