Justin (above) and Talia set off on an incredible adventure in Justin and the Knights of Valour.

Justin and the Knights of Valour (2013)
Certified: PG
Duration: 96 minutes
Directed by: Manuel Sicilia
Voices of: Antonio Banderas, Freddie Highmore, James Cosmo, Michael Culkin, Charles Dance, Tamsin Egerton, Rupert Everett, Barry Humphries, Alfred Molina, Mark Strong, David Walliams, Julie Walters, Olivia Williams, Saoirse Ronan
KRS release

The Spanish-produced animated feature Justin and the Knights of Valour is a treat for children aged between six and 10, especially if they are already fans of the Shrek franchise.

This film is influenced by the green ogre’s escapades and aims for the same kind of audience. It all comes packaged with a very interesting voicing cast that gives the production an added personality.

The story is set in a far away world, where we get to meet a youth, Justin (Freddie Highmore), who wants to become a famous knight, just like his grandfather.

The problem is that knights have been banished from the kingdom by the Queen and have been replaced by lawyers, like his dad (Alfred Molina), who have very strict rules.

So when Justin is given the chance to train as a knight, he leaves everything behind him and sets off on his quest.

He soon encounters the likes of Sir Clorex (Antonio Banderas), who is not to be trusted, Melquiades (David Williams), a wizard with a bit of a personality problem, and also villain Heraclio and his sidekick Sota (Mark Strong and Rupert Everett), who is there for the laughs. Also involved are Lara (Tamsin Egerton), a girl whom Justin wants to impress, and Talia (Saoirse Ronan), who is not as easy to get along with.

Banderas, who had voiced Puss in Boots, here also takes on production duties. Standout voicing is provided by Charles Dance, Barry Humphries and James Cosmo as Legantir, Braulo and Blucher, three veteran knights who must train and impart their wisdom on Justin. Obviously enough, the result of this teaching is hilarious.

Another voicing characterisation to be singled out is that by Everett, who plays the villain’s sidekick with a mix of farce and camp, and upstages his boss. Ronan adds much more spark to the film than Highmore.

It all comes packaged with a very interesting voicing cast that gives the production an added personality

The animation by Spain’s Kandor Graphics seems to be emulating Blue Sky’s approach to animation from the first Ice Age. It is colourful and bright, and provides a cupboard full of eye candy. Overall, it shows that the animation industry is flexing its wings and expanding its muscle even outside Hollywood. This is very welcome indeed.

Meanwhile, the plot and its approach is very much inspired by the Disney stories, so parents should know they are on safe ground here. The film has a variety of layers, especially in the talk of knights v the law. The fun is in seeing how things are turned upside down in Justin’s world.