"Storks delivering babies" is a very Western idea; I'm not really aware of its origins and I've always thought it was a ruse by parents to escape having to answer the dreaded question: "Where do babies come from?"
Warner Animation Group takes this very "Western Ruse" and turns it into an animated film in "Storks". They expand the mythology by making the "baby delivery system" into a booming industry. Complete with the corporate blue print and yes revenue and fiscal reports.
There are a number of occupational hazards when it comes to running a baby delivery system and that includes - falling for how darn cute they are! And yes apparently even storks are susceptible to the cuteness of babies; just look at the crazy stork Jasper who "fell in love" with the baby he was supposed to deliver and in the chaos that ensued broke her beacon, which is basically a map to her family. Jasper was banished and the baby named Tulip (Orphan Tulip) if you want to be specific or if you just want to be mean, becomes the only human on Stork Mountain. Which probably explains the multiple personality scenes.
After the whole "Tulip fiasco" the storks transition from delivering babies to delivering for Cornerstore.com, which is basically everyday times like cellphones and refrigerators, no chance of falling in love with those right? (Not so sure about the former though).
Tulip grows up as the only human on Stork mountain and needless to say she's missing her own flock-errr-family and only has a few flightless birds for friends. On her 18th birthday the CEO of Stork Mountain (of course there's a CEO) Hunter, voiced by Kelsey Grammer wants Tulip off Stork Mountain, in other words fired and assigns this task to Junior (Andy Samberg), whom Hunter is grooming to be the next "Boss" (earth explodes) and his promotion depends on getting Tulip fired.
In Junior's grand plan of keeping Tulip away from Hunter's eyes, the long discontinued "Baby Making Machine" is accidentally activated and now a baby needs to be delivered before Hunter finds out.
The unlikely pair of Tulip and Junior go on a crazy adventure to get the cute pink haired baby to her family or rather to wise beyond his years Nate, who wants a little baby brother (with Ninja skills-of course) and because his parents are too busy takes matters into his own hands by following an old brochure from back in the old days when storks still delivered babies. Apparently you write a letter and send it to Stork Mountain, the information on the letter is then used to create the baby and of course, the return address is where the baby is delivered.
But with the ambitious office snitch Pigeon Toady (whose accent I just could not understand but I will forgive because of his hilarious song and dance number), a vicious wolf pack led by award winning comic duo Keegan-Micheal Key and Jordan Peele (Paul's favorites), a bunch of hilarious and crazy penguins, it will be a surprise if Tulip and Junior make the delivery at all!
Despite being a very "western" idea, the film transcends to classic themes of family and love all mixes in with a whole lot of crazy and comedy and I was pretty much tearing up in my seat because finding your own family, whether you belong to the same species is a timeless theme that anyone can relate to. I love how the film also subtly inserts #OneLove and #LoveWins in the film. I don't want to give anything away but it's there and it's just beautiful.
They say that babies bring a different kind of happiness to families, they even teach that in Social Studies, at least they did during my time and I admire how the film also looks into appreciating having children.
The film may be outrageous and ridiculous at times but that's what makes you laugh out loud in your seat and the themes of love and family keeps you grounded and makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.
8.5 out of 10. "Storks" has a seriously good chance of ending up becoming my Favorite Animated Movie of 2016. Now Showing in cinemas!
Photo Credit to Warner Bros.
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