Up until a year ago, it seemed my kindergartner had two main emotions: happy and sad. And, whatever he was feeling, it was turned up to 11: peals of laughter or buckets of tears. But a new emotion is taking center stage: anger.

Anger is definitely getting its day at the multiplex. Between The Avengers’ Hulk; Anger, the fiery red character in Inside Out; and Red, the main bird in this week’s new release The Angry Birds Movie, furrowed brows and growling talk is in vogue. Perhaps as a consequence, I’ve noticed a lot more “grrrrrrrrrr” in my house and I wondered if taking my son Tate to see a movie titled Angry Birds was the right move.

If the film’s title seems like moviegoers are walking into a celebration of frustration, your instincts are correct. Indeed, the prevailing message is that anger has a legitimate and positive purpose, if – and here’s the important part – used appropriately.

If you are one of the billions who’ve played the Angry Birds app, then you more or less know the premise of the film. Red is an easily frustrated cardinal on an island of blissful birds. When he finally goes a-fowl (#hadto) of the law, he is sentenced to anger-management classes where he meets some like-minded friends, explosive Bomb (Danny McBride) and disruptive Chuck (Josh Gad, who repeats his Olaf feat in wonderfully stealing the show). When some friendly green pigs come ashore, Red feels something is amiss, but his trusting community poo-poos him since he is, of course, the squeaky wheel. Well, the app may tip you off to what happens next, but let’s just say the only way Red can rally the troops is to tap into an emotion they are unfamiliar with: anger.

Angry Birds has a few words that you might not be thrilled for your littlest ones to hear, like “dummy” and “fart face,” but there are no actual curse words. Really, the only moment that shocked me a little was when Chuck tells the birds to start laying some eggs by lewdly (well, PG-animation-movie lewdly) thrusting his hips – I’m guessing that move will be imitated long after the movie is over. On the other hand, positive messaging is slipped into the dialogue, like a reference to taking responsibility for misbehavior. The film actually has some takeaway tips, showing real anger-management techniques like painting and yoga. But, don’t take it too seriously: Angry Birds is light, silly and a whole lot of laughs.

We parents are wise to be skeptical when it comes to movie adaptations that seem like they’re thinly veiled merchandising, but Angry Birds delivers a lot of fun. … along with the merchandising. My son went straight for the plush-toy set, which I relented and got. Now, he wants everything Angry Birds he can find. When I refuse, he furrows his brow and says, “You’re making me angry!” But then, he stomps away and that’s the end of that. In my opinion, that’s a whole lot better than crying and whining.

For another mom's take on Angry Birds, check out Fandango's Mom's Movie Minute.