When our two heroes go back to the first Thanksgiving and meet the turkeys, Jenny (Amy Poehler) tells Reggie (Owen Wilson) “it’s all about confidence”. This is a small but defining moment for all of the characters in this film.
Jenny shows confidence by standing up to her brother and Jake (Woody Harrelson) and, later, leading the turkeys against the humans. She shows courage in every way. Let’s be real: she led an attack against humans with guns. She’s just a turkey!
Chief Broadbeak (Keith David) lost his confidence in living and surviving above ground. That’s why the turkeys remain underground and choose to “defend” instead of fight the settlers. His courage lies in protecting his family.
Reggie has to learn to have confidence. His fear limits him. He has to hear he is great from three different future selves that he is important. After finding out he is in fact “the Great Turkey”, his confidence escalates.
Ranger (Jimmy Hayward) has confidence in his sister. After Jenny declares that the turkeys will fight, he is immediately on her side, no questions asked.
Ultimately, the Great Turkey gives our major characters their confidence. Reggie becomes confident because he is the Great Turkey. Jake has a mission, forming his confidence. And if Reggie had never given Jake his mission, the past turkeys never would have stood-up against the settlers. It all boils down to “the Great Turkey”!
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