When the farmer's away, all the animals play ... and sing, and dance. Eventually, though, someone has to step in and run things, a responsibility that ends up going to Otis (James), a carefree cow.

There isn't much thinking and soul searching required of the audience in this movie, particularly since the audience is supposed to be those aged eight and below. So if you're contemplating how to placate a hyperactive tyke for 90 minutes on a Sunday afternoon, take him and then just sit back and enjoy "Barnyard" for what it is - a simple tale revolving around a father and son relationship where the son refuses to grow up and take responsibility, and learns it the hard way - a little like "The Lion King" you might say. Why, even Ben, the father (voiced by Sam Elliot) looks and sounds as grave and commanding as James Earl Jones' King Mufasa in the former movie.

And it is around this commanding figure and his irresponsible heir apparent that the story is built. Otis the younger cow (voiced by Kevin James) has a problem with 'growing up'. As the stepson of the farm's leader who has taken upon himself to protect all the animals inside the farmyard ("As long as I'm still kicking, no animal will be harmed inside this fence", Ben always promises), Otis just wont give up being a party animal. The moment the farmer's back is turned, all the animals in the barnyard stand upright, get the music going, and hoe-down till the break of day.

One night, when it is Otis' turn to do the graveyard shift as the sentinel against a pack of marauding coyotes, he asks his father to replace him because well.. he's the integral part of the late night party as he says and is therefore sorely needed there. Old Ben gives in and in the wild revelry in the barnyard, the coyotes raid the chicken coop and Ben is killed.

Otis is saddened but balks at stepping into his father's shoes as the new a leader. But the predators are still out there and now, with Ben dead, the coyotes plan to play Otis around their little fingers...er paws. They know he's a pushover, but worse than that, Otis knows they're right. But all the other animals, including the new farm arrival Daisy the pregnant cow (Courteney Cox) whom Otis has taken a liking to, are looking to him to be their protector. Can he live up to everyone's expectations?

"Barnyard" is populated by a lot of interesting characters- (like Pip the feisty mouse, a coop of hens, a silly pig, a funny ferret, a bumbling dog, plus a few human ones), but among all of them, three stood out: Bessy the cow because of Wanda Sykes' sassiness (unmistakable anywhere), Miles the Mule (Danny Glover) because of his quiet wisdom and Ben himself for being so cool, despite his seriousness. When faced with danger, even imminent death, he whips out his guitar singing Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down as he bashes his way into the fight. Don't worry about excessive violence though, there's no blood involved and the battle isn't any fiercer than that final clash between the Beast and Gaston in "Beauty and the Beast", if you'll remember.

However, you might be puzzled by a few things in Steve Oedekerk's presentation. The cows are male cows and they have udders. Some of them drink cow's milk. Is it their own? Hmmmm.

Well, my advice is, don't fret too much over the details. Any movie that has animals talking, walking on their hind legs and even driving and riding motorcycles (Harleys too!) can't be taken seriously to any degree. What you can look forward to though, is the great music, brilliant colours and a load of laughs and fun. And that's what a movie is all about anyway - entertainment.