For those who are not fans of at least one of the three comic actors, there are the other two just in case. For me, I am not a Jack Black fan, but I am an Owen Wilson and Steve Martin fan. Fortunately, Jack Black is much more subtle in this than I seen him in other films where I was not amused by his work, so he is a lot more tolerable. Story involves three men who has yearly gone out to see who can take pictures of the most birds in a period of a year. That means being gone from family, friends and work, and of course, obstacles occur with family, friends and business that interrupts their efforts to win the competition.

You do get through the narration of John Cleese (a comic I am a fan of) a story of the Flight of the hummingbird as he tries to make it across the Mexican Channel during a storm. Other gorgeous and unique birds are seen, but the rest of the story really is for the birds. Their personal stories are not really as interesting as their efforts to win the contest, and the photography remember when you said one of us half of the great outdoors is of course gorgeous.

Every time one of them snapped a picture or sees a unique bird, the location is shown on screen and a counter raises the number. There's even songs about birds, including the famous "The Bird is the Word" rock song. Dianne Wiest and Brian Dennehy have small roles as Jack Black's parents, and looking a lot like Mary Wickes, Anjelica Huston as a cameo as a tough boat captain who takes birders on tours. It's an amusing if not a great film, and at least one that restores some dignity to the hobby of bird watching, something that at times seems silly. But when you see the colors of these unique birds, those feelings disappear although when you seen one robin, you've seen them all.

Kenny Bostick (Owen Wilson),Stu Preissler (Steve Martin),and Brad Harris (Jack Black) are all bird watchers hoping to break the record for most different species spotted in one year. In short, they want to have The Big Year.

The three competitors criss cross all over the world searching for different species, and is a fascinating look into this strange little community. The three have great likable chemistry. In a break from more recent movies, they are not over the top. It's really a sweet charming movie without so many gross out jokes. Although I could do without the John Cleese narration.

My sister and her husband are avid birders. I know a little about the topic. They are ranked in the top 10 within their home state, for their big year.

Bostick (Owen Wilson) is in serious competition. The movie is correct in that birders are on an honor system, although there are doubters which is why birders quickly become decent amateur photographers. Just about every year is a "Big Year" for birders as they always keep track of what birds they have seen as well as when and where. Most don't have the time or resources to cross the country several times a year, so they compete within their state.

The film shows some aspects of birders such as how life interferes with birding. Or how a birder would rather be in Brownsville, Texas at a dump site than in Paris, France. I have discovered that Birders are also acutely aware of things such as global warming as southern birds move north into new areas. They also know the points of illegal crossings as they visit the southern border at odd hours.

The movie has 3 diverse quirky characters competing nation wide to be the best birder. Jack Black and Steve Martin are likeable characters while Owen Wilson is the "bad guy." I had several laugh out loud moments during this feature. Birding is best done as a couples hobby.

Good comedy. Good script.