Synopsis:
The Pirate Captain looks to win the prestigious Pirate of the Year award. However, he isn't the best pirate. After meeting Charles Darwin he realises he holds something more valuable than any booty. A Dodo. Planning to use the riches from a science competition to impress the Pirate King and win Pirate of the Year he heads to England, home of severe Pirate hater Queen Victoria.
I haven't actually been
to the cinema since before starting this blog!!! Awful, I know!
That's about two months ago, and unfortunately there aren't many
films out at the moment that particular shout out must see. 21
Jump Street looks hilarious but I have to take the ladyfriend
into mind of course. Wrath of the Titans looks
VFX heavy and a visual treat but I kind of anticipate a fairly
average story and film structure. So what was I left with?
Only a return to clay-mation for Aardman animations!
I was so very happy
when I heard about this. I grew up with Wallace and Gromit so
this style of animation holds a special place in my heart. Billed as
a picture from the makers of Chicken Run, I
had reason to get more excited. Chicken Run had
a script which gave depth and belief to the characters (despite them
being chickens). We as the viewers had a real connection to this
story as there was still a focus on character development.
Unfortunately for The Pirates,
I didn't feel the same way.
It
was more in the same vein as Wallace and Gromit, except
with only one lead character, the rest feeling like accompaniments as
opposed to holding any real value (aside from No.2, who is the only
down to earth character). Now, despite these characters being
loveable I can't help but feel this style of film making leaves a
hollow feel to the production. It felt like a high budget TV movie.
When a more serious moment took place it was difficult to feel
particularly sorry for the Captain as he struggles to become a better
pirate. The whole film feels more like a long running pirate joke. I
don't mean that in a bad way, it's just there's an overwhelming
abundance of puns, mixed with hilarious expressions and spoofs and so
on that it's difficult to take it seriously as a truly great film.
Because of the vast comedy it's kind of hard to buy any threat and it
feels more slapstick. I suppose it's safe to say it's a very safe
film. The kids wont be too traumatised and people of all ages can
laugh the whole way through. But like the great Ed Hooks says...
don't be afraid to scare children. Or to even get serious for that
matter. As in the end you'll end up with a much more impactful film.
It
could also be that pirates in real life are actually terrifying. But
here jokes are made about running people through and plundering
etc... so the impact of that as well as any threat is taken away. So
it could be the very nature of subject matter that makes it
impossible to get any real depth to the film and characters.
Although
I may be overcritical concerning the hollow feel of the film at no
point was I bored. It had a very interesting narrative and there were
several times throughout the film where I thought it was going to be
over and yet the story continues. Quite an impressive feat to be able
to stretch out a fairly shallow film over so many chapters and still
keep it entertaining.
Now,
remember when I said earlier that Wrath of the Titans
would be a visual treat? Well this has to be a visual feast! It is
absolutely stunning. You can see how Aardman have come such a long
way. It has the cosy and recognisable claymation aesthetic from their
previous works but is also complimented by CG and the cross
pollination of the two disciplines really takes this one to the next
level. Unfortunately it'll probably be overlooked in terms of VFX at
the next Oscars but I feel it certainly deserves a nod. The
combination of the two animation styles really allow this piece to
thrive above all others. No their aren't pointless action set pieces,
just stunning visuals combined with impressive animation. Making this
probably one of the best looking films that will come out this year.
Overview:
Although
lacking in character depth, this is a marvellous film to look at and
will keep you giggling the whole way through at every whimsical joke
and situation.
Rating:
★★★
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