The Pirates!
Band of Misfits [3D] (2012)
Brief review: One of the creators of the unique and hilarious "Chicken Run", Peter Lord, along with "Flushed Away"'s head animator, Jeff Newitt, bring us yet another brilliantly-executed stop-motion animated film, produced and released by Aardman Animations, who also gave us the amazing "Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit". The movie displays enough originality and creativity to save itself from being 'you typical pirate affair', and delivers many clever jokes for the adults as well as some silly but funny slapstick for the youngsters. What makes "Pirates!" even more enjoyable and entertaining is the adventurous nature of it, the superbly colorful characters, and last but not least, the ingeniously hilarious, yet inventive action scenes it proudly boasts. Clay animation is extremely difficult to execute and usually takes months, if not years, to put together, and both directors deserve credit for the remarkable job they've done on this truly stellar project. Visually and technically, "Band of Misfits" is quite astonishing and near flawless - the amount of detail is amazing, the clay work is pitch-perfect, and the colors are pastelly, yet vibrant and saturated. The competent use of 3D works in the film's favor and certainly adds depth to the already magnificent visuals. The voice casting is spot-on, with Hugh Grant being the absolute standout with his first-ever voice performance as Captain Pirate.
10 comments:
Really looking forward to this one. Ironically, we watched Flushed Away again this weekend. What can I say? I have a thing for singing slugs.
I'm gonna check this one out. It'll have to wait until it comes out on DVD, as I think it has stopped playing here in the Faroe Islands.
Alex, I think this one is pretty much on-par with Flushed Away, but not as amazing as Chicken Run and W&G.
I would watch it again too. It was so much fun.:)
Hans, it premiered 2 weeks earlier than in the US, and not playing in your local theater does not surprise me at all. Anyway, I liked it a lot, and I hope you're gonna enjoy it too. ;)
I saw a trailer for this when I went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, and thought it was cute. I planned to take one of my younger relatives to see this but I just might go to see it by myself or with a friend my own age, lol.
~Nicole
Blog: The Madlab Post
@MadlabPost on Twitter
Nicole, if you liked any of Aardman Animation previous feature, you're gonna enjoy this one too. It's a great fun for both children and adults.
Looking forward to seeing this as stop motion is one of my preferred methods of animation,harkening back to the days of the old Rankin and Bass stop-motion features like Rudolph's Shiny New Year. I grew up watching those and have them on DVD.
Mel, stop-motion is my favorite animation style too. The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Coraline, Chicken Run, Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, The Pirates - I LOVE THEM ALL! :) I reckon your gonna have a great time with this one. It premieres next week in the US, so go and see it with your nephew when it comes out.
Have you seen any of the Wallace and Grommit shorts George? The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and A Matter of Loaf and Death are fabulous and blow Chicken Run or Were-rabbit out of the water.
I saw Pirates in glorious 2D, and quite enjoyed it. You're right that the amount of detail was phenomenal. Do you think that the 3D added anything to the fim?
Russ, no I haven't. Seriously? I thought nothing can blow those out of the water. I should check them out. Thanks for the recommendation.:P
I think it did. Not much, but still. Clay animation works better in 3D in my opinion.
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