It's hard to believe that it has been 7 years since the last Aardman stop-animation film. The mediocre Flushed Away and Arthur Christmas are the only two films to come from the company during that time. So it is with high expectations that "Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists!" be released. It has all the trademarks of the type of film you'd expect from the studios that brought us Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run. But, how does it stack up?
The answer is quiet well actually. From the opening until the ending the movie is exactly what one would expect and more. Gags are aplenty and come in a range of ways; from the titillating subtle opening, to the rip-roaring, in-your face laughs. Hugh Grant oddly, yet brilliantly stars as "The Pirate Captain" on a quest to get the coveted Pirate Of The Year trophy and a supporting cast such as Martin Freeman and David Tennant help him on his way.
The film does lose some of its steam about half way through and the 3D aspect is forgettable, however the film does regain momentum in the last 20 minutes to provide a lot of action, innuendo and a certain large, loud bearded man thrown into the mix as the King of Pirates.With a strong start and finish, this is one of Aardman's best features to date and a film that both kids and adults will enjoy.
4.5/5
