The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists (2012)
Certified: U
Duration: 88 minutes
Directed by: Peter Lord
Voices of: Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, Jeremy Piven, Imelda Staunton, David Tennant, Martin Freeman, Lenny Henry, Brendan Gleeson, Ashley Jensen, Brian Blessed, Russell Tovey
KRS release

Aardman Animations does it again. After the funny Chicken Run and the hilarious Wallace and Gromit series and movie, they’ve adapted Gideon Defoe’s wacky book to deliver not simply a fun-packed feature but even more so, a highly-accomplished technical film.

This Monty Pyton-style feature is aimed for the whole family but its zany collection of over-the-wall clichés and a joyous sense of irony make this film a real gem.

Hugh Grant voices Pirate Captain, a lovable and in-love-with-himself fellow. He is all out to win the coveted prize Pirate of the Year Award which is not going to be that easy as a trio of pirates stand in his way: Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek), Peg Leg Hastings (Lenny Henry) and Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven).

Backed by his band of pirates which includes albinos and booze-addled characters, Pirate Captain is, however, not too able at his vocation.

When Pirate Captain meets biologist Charles Darwin (David Tennant), life on the seven seas will no longer be the same.

Bring into the mix Captain Pirate’s unusual parrot, which is actually a dodo, and a hate-filled Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton), which spells doubloons of fun during the Easter holidays.

The voice casting is spot on. Hugh Grant turns out a well-chimed performance in his first such role, even though his supporting cast is brimming with talent and enthusiasm and threatens to overshadow him.

This film gives Mr Grant a chance to play a role that is very much against the cynical types he is usually cast in.

Brian Blessed is perfect as The Pirate King while Imelda Staunton is brilliant. Hers is one real unusual reimagining of the Queen Victoria that will leave quite an impression.

David Tennant as a young Charles Darwin demonstrates that there is life beyond Doctor Who.

Meanwhile, Ashley Jensen runs away with her bearded lady pirate role.

Aardman Studios have now become associated with a British type of animation and are synonymous with quality as much in the same way as Pixar.

This is not just evident in the claymation technique but even more so in its celebration of style and sophisticated demeanour.

The film is very colourful and flashy; that and the fact that the film has a genuine sense of kookiness makes it a certified chuckle inducer.

Throughout it all the production manages to walk the plank and find a balance between heartiness and sharpness, coyness and warming.