Animated films include lessons for parents

Why did “Chicken Little” cross the road? To get away from his disapproving dad.

Pushy or overprotective parents have become fixtures in recent animated films, from “Shrek 2” and “Finding Nemo” to “The Incredibles” and “Robots.”

That contrasts with absent parents, who were a hallmark of Disney animation from classics such as 1942’s “Bambi” up to the orphaned sisters in 2002’s “Lilo & Stitch.”

Though many classic bedtime tales have life lessons for little ones, today’s bear lessons for Mom and Dad.

“It’s obvious these animators are boomers coping with parenting themselves and trying to balance professional and private lives,” says Bill Desowitz, who covers cartoons as editor of the visual-effects magazine VFX World.

The original fable “Chicken Little,” about an acorn-conked bird who wrongly believes the sky is falling, was a cautionary tale about the perils of jumping to conclusions.

Disney’s new computer-animated comedy starts with that familiar story – then turns it on its beak.

This time, “Chicken Little” (voiced by Zach Braff of “Scrubs”) is right. The sky is falling.

In the midst of this trouble is dad Buck Cluck (voiced by “Pretty Woman” director Garry Marshall), who’s embarrassed by his son’s obsessive worries and wants him to act “normal.”

“You’ve got to be there for your kid,” director Mark Dindal says. “Obviously, it’s easy when (children) do well and do great things, but when they stumble and fall and are a little less than spectacular, that’s when they need you the most.”

“Chicken Little” is only the latest in a line of animated films that deal with the disconnection between parents and children:

“”Finding Nemo” (2003): While searching for his missing son, overprotective Marlin the clownfish learns that the boy is capable despite his damaged fin.

“”Shrek 2” (2004): Ogre Shrek and his love, Fiona, shock her royal parents by their marriage. The king tries to break them apart, while a vicious Fairy Godmother bullies her son, Prince Charming, into wooing Fiona.

“”The Incredibles” (2004): Incognito superheroes Mr. Incredible and ElastiGirl suppress their son’s and daughter’s special powers until a villain surfaces and the parents realize the true potential of their kids.

“”Shark Tale” (2004): A vegetarian shark hides with a fish when he fails to live up to his gangster dad’s expectations.

“”Robots” (2005): A robot inventor with a plan to help his overworked but loving parents crosses paths with a villain spurred by his greedy mother.

The cartoon trend reflects the overbearing tendencies of many mothers and fathers, says psychologist and “Playful Parenting” author Lawrence J. Cohen.

“I see this trend in parents of being so academic and trying to force kids to be superachievers,” Cohen says. “A big segment of parents are scared all the time. They forget that if we go overboard protecting (children), they end up timid and afraid.”

Confronting such things with jokes and colorful stories is “a huge benefit that everybody can enjoy together,” Cohen adds.

Braff says the family theme is part of the appeal of recent cartoon hits.

“They make these movies on different levels that appeal to something in the adults as well,” he says. “Everyone has had parents, and it’s a universal thing that we want to impress our parents and make them proud of us.”

Both Braff and Marshall, coincidentally, made their own films dealing with estranged fathers and sons: Braff’s 2004 writing and directorial debut “Garden State” and Marshall’s 1986 drama “Nothing in Common,” with Tom Hanks reunited with ailing dad Jackie Gleason.

Marshall says too many families wait to reconcile until it’s too late.

“The confrontation where (Chicken Little) speaks up and says ‘Dad, you never supported me’ should be said early,” he says.

“The fact that Buck Cluck is open to criticism is a sign of good character and a good message for fathers.”