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www.eonline.com - : Paulie is a talking parrot who sits neglected in a research clinic until a kind janitor (Shalhoub) nurtures him back to health. Straight from the bird's beak--and seen in flashbacks--we find out that Paulie learned to ''really'' speak by auditing his first owner's speech-therapy sessions. Unfortunately, Paulie and sweet little Marie (Eisenberg) got separated and the loquacious bird spends the next ten years trying to get home. During his misadventures, Paulie pulls a stint insulting pawn-shop patrons, goes on a cross-country trek in a Winnebago and winds up in Marin's barrio sideshow before being abducted by petty crook Mohr (who does double duty as the bird's voice). Aimed at the younger audience, this bird's tale offers a host of heartfelt performances, but ultimately it's nothing to squawk about. more...
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C+
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www.boxoffice.com - : This ''`Babe' with a beak'' tells the story of a parrot named Paulie (voiced by Jay Mohr) who can comprehend and speak human language. Besides the difference in genus from his cute porcine predecessor, this talking animal has a salty, streetwise nature--which serves not only to distinguish him further from Babe but also to make him less likable. The movie fractures from the get-go, when it--framed in flashback--begins to follow the journeys of Paulie after being taken from Marie, the little girl (newcomer Hallie Kate Eisenberg) who so desperately needs her pet. Her father Warren (''Masterminds''' Matt Craven) long gone away from home in the service, Marie has grown into a little girl but stutters; on his return, he sternly pressures her to speak normally, but only with Paulie's help does Marie find herself beginning to accomplish that goal. Thinking her belief that Paulie can actually converse is detrimental to her development, however, Warren gets rid of Paulie. more...
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Critic Reviews
