
Jeff Newitt
Writer: Gideon Defoe
Starring: Hugh Grant
Martin Freeman
David Tennant
Salma Hayek
Jeremy Piven
Imelda Staunton
Lenny Henry
Ashley Jensen
Brian Blessed
Russell Tovey
Rating: ****
Release Date: Out Now
Here we have another Aardman classic, but this time with Plasticine pirates wreaking the havoc and providing many a laugh.. Hugh Grant, in an extremely different role for him, really
sets the tone as the voice of the merry yet bumbling Pirate Captain who
couldn't find a box of treasure if one swung down and smacked him in the face. Because of this foolishness he is forced to look at different ways to be a better pirate.
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The Pirate Crew |
This, of course, is
where the scientists come in, to be more precise, Charles Darwin in particular (Tennant). This inclusion of the famous scientist is very much in keeping with the tongue-in-cheek view view
of history (written by Gideon Dafoe adapting his own children's books). The character of
Darwin has been turned into a a creepy little man who likes pickling animals and he soon finds himself fixating
his beady little eyes on the giant parrot perched on the Captain's shoulder. It turns out that this "parrot" is in fact dodo, and it is this that will make the Captain a better pirate, and Darwin will receive plenty of glory.
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Darwin |
As for the animation and film-making, it has a much sleeker Hollywood feel to it, and with the creator of Wallace & Gromit, Nick Park, not being involved, it does lack some of that Aardman sparkle. Things like attention to
detail not being as obsessed over; the cheeky nods and in-jokes with the audience not being as sophisticated. I will say that due to its design and conception, the film is clearly aimed more towards
children, though grownups will surely enjoy the
witty banter and subtler grown up jokes.
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Queen Victoria |
The Captain's crew was one of the huge highlights of the film for me. Featuring the voice talents of features Martin Freeman,
Ashley Jensen, Lenny Henry, Russell Tovey and Brian Blessed, who each deliver their
lines with the sort of dry humour you'd expect a typically British comedy. Plus, with Grant leading the gang of pirates, it is basically a perfect mix. Grant is much more engaging in this role than ever before, simply because he plays against type; with an over-the-top bravado and lacking many a
brain cell.
The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists - Trailer
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