Andy Serkis Animated Animal Farm Hits Theaters

Andy Serkis's animated adaptation of George Orwell's "Animal Farm" hit theaters on May 1, reimagining the 1945 novella's allegory of rebellion and corruption as a family-friendly story set in a modern context.

The film follows farm animals who overthrow their neglectful human farmer and establish a society governed by seven commandments of Animalism, including "All animals are equal." Voiced by Laverne Cox, Snowball, now a female pig, initially leads efforts to organize the farm, proposing measures like storing grain for winter and building a windmill for power. However, Napoleon, a boar voiced by Seth Rogen, ousts her after a dispute and gradually alters the rules, amassing power and striking deals with a neighboring human landowner, Freida Pilkington, voiced by Glenn Close.

New elements include a young piglet named Lucky, voiced by Gaten Matarazzo, who questions Napoleon's decisions and rewriting of commandments. Other voices feature Woody Harrelson as the loyal horse Boxer, Kathleen Turner as the cynical donkey Benjamin, and Iman Vellani as chickens Puff and Tammy. The story incorporates contemporary touches such as VR headsets, rap music, a farmers market to generate income,...