Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Die Wilden Hühner und das Leben" or "Wild Chicks and Life" (and there are more titles out there) is a German 105-minute movie from 2009, so two more years and this one will have its 10th anniversary. It is the third and final installment of the chicken series and once again it is directed by Vivian Naefe, who is also one of several writers adapting the novel by Cornelia Funke. Most of the actors from films 1 and 2 return for this one and this includes grown-up actors like Ferres, Schwarz and Fürmann as well as the child actors. One exception is Paula Riemann, but honestly, she was forgettable anyway and even a relatively limited actress like Sonja Gerhardt is better than Katja Riemann's daughter. Now about the story here, a lot of the film is about saying farewell and recollecting some memories. This was done pretty well for the most part and I can see it delivering a bit of an emotional note to people who enjoyed the previous films.I myself did not really like them that much to be honest. i think the level has been generally pretty mediocre during the entire series, but hey at least it did not really go downhill and if you liked the first film (more than I did), chances are good you will also enjoy films two and three. Now back to this one here: The focus is mostly on more grown-up subjects like coming-of-age and pregnancy also plays a major role here. The fact that the kids have aged also shows by the inclusion of a new group of chicks, the next generation basically and also on one or two occasions there is talk about the whole chick/pygmy references being too childish for them now. Like I already said, this is not a problem and they found some nice closure eventually in this film. Sadly, the story otherwise is relatively forgettable, for example the whole part about this underwater cove etc. which did not add anything in terms of realistic relatable drama the way it was supposed to. Besides, the second film was about chicks and love as you also read in that title and this one here is also a great deal about love and relationships, but that's fine as it is just such a dominant subject for teenagers during that time in their lives. The weaker aspects also include stuff like Ferres' character being pregnant after a one-night stand with the central character's father. Yes a bit on the embarrassing side for sure. I think in general, they were not doing too well on the comedy side to be honest. Very little wit included overall. Jessica Schwarz was once again wasted here and same can probably said about Benno Fürmann. Finally, I would like to say that it is a pity lead actress Michelle von Treuberg stopped acting quickly afterward as I believe she has the talent and the looks for a great career. She is even a really good singer. And I am also a bit disappointed that Jette Hering eventually stopped acting too it seems while some of he less talented child actors and actresses in here are still enjoying career. Pity. All in all, I give this final segment a thumbs-down, even if (as you read in my review too) there are certainly some upsides to it.
