The Pirates! Band of Misfits

Rating:

Here’s another great family adventure, ‘The Pirates! Band of Misfits’ is a fun, clever, colorful and fantastic film for children and adults to enjoy. Aardman Animations executed such a detailed film, which is no surprise seeing that they did ‘Arthur Christmas’, and all the ‘Wallace & Gromit’ films along with director Peter Lord who also did ‘Chicken Run’. This was a great combination of talent that is easily perceived on screen. I had the chance to see the film in 3D and although I think the graphics are beautiful, you can enjoy it just as much on the regular screen. 

Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) has a crew that idolizes him, even though they are very unsuccessful as pirates. Pirate Captain decides to enter the Pirate of the year Award, one more time despite of having lost various times. His main pirate rivals are: Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven), and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek); these two are great fighters, treasure hunters and mock Pirate Captain and his crew endlessly. Either way Pirate Captain is determined to win the award this year, with his right hand the Pirate with a Scarf  (Martin Freeman) and his comedic crew. He not only has to worry about his fellow pirates, but also for Queen Victoria (Imelda Stauton) who hates pirates and will do anything to see them go extinct. On his journey Pirate Captain will encounter endless adventures and memorable people, but he will learn one of the most valuable lessons of all: how important friendship is.

 This is Grant’s first animated film and he told me in our interview that the story and his character itself really attracted him and he felt connected to them automatically; so much so that if they decide to make a second part he won’t allow anyone to take his place. Just seeing the images of this movie you can appreciate all the detail that went into it, for example the ship built for the crew was hand crafted, had 44,569 parts, weighted 770 pounds, was 14 feet long and 15 feet high. The intricate work can be perceived in each scene. In the U.K. the film is called ‘The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists ‘, because wonderfully enough it mixes in some science by having Charles Darwin (David Tennat) be one of its characters. Also, the mascot of the ship’s crew is a dodo bird, Polly that was just adorable!

Pirate Captain and his crew entertain easily because of their good nature, innocence and thrill for adventure. Pirates are such an overplayed subject, but somehow they continue to entertain in family films. So, if you are looking for a film that the whole family can enjoy this weekend I recommend this one, for the laughs, story and wonderful images it offers.