The Pirates! In an adventure with scientists!

The latest Aardman spectacular is another fun filled film for all ages. Here we have a band of misfit pirates having adventures on the high seas. Like their previous productions this is a very British film and you can't get much more British than Queen Victoria, even if she is the baddy.
     There's the usual slapstick and hilarous gags, plus a fair amount of micky take (of other movies, of pirates, of history, science and a good many other things). But something's missing.
     The story just seemed to drag a little. The jokes were funny but not top quality, and the film just need that final punch to make it a masterpiece. I have to say it sadly falls just short of Chicken Run, Flushed Away and Wallace and Gromitt. The movie is short (less than 90 minutes) but many of the characters seem underdeveloped (especially the other Pirates) and the monkey needed a few more cards.
     But don't get me wrong, it is a very enjoyable film and I hope we haven't seen the last Aardman.

End of a pilgrimage

Sitting in the shelter of the hill we could forget the wind that had blown around us all day, but in the valley the white smoke of a steam train waiting at a signal is being whipped away furiously. None of us say anything. Above us the afternoon sun is trying to break through the white clouds. Eventually we start again, the final section of our journey. We've been walking for three days, beside rivers and over hills, in the sunshine and the rain. I can think of no better way I would like to spend my time.

A straggled line of weary walkers

Multi-colours the green hillside.

Thirty-five miles done and two to go,

The church doors waiting to welcome us home.