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***1/2 STARS

I was mildly surprised by how much I liked this film. I love Aardman Studios who brought us “Chicken Run” and “Wallace & Gromit”. Last year “Wallace & Gromit: Curse Of The Were-Rabbit” won the Oscar for best animated film. That was a much deserved prize if ever there was one. The studio made “Flushed Away” their first entirey computer animated feature film. Their signature look and feel is all over this computer animated little gem. You get the visual look of clay-mation but the gloss and vibe of computer animation. This is a terrific kids film, as well as for big kids. The hidden jokes and adult subtext are all over this toon.

My absolute favorite part of this film are the slugs, they are so funny and even kinda cute. They pop up in and out of the film singing and adding more hilarious scenes than any of the main characters. The voice over work by Kate Winslet and Hugh Jackman are superb. Their characters are fully fleshed out funny originals. The snappy witty British dialog is crackling with subversive humor.

I really enjoyed the amount of details that are added to the backgrounds and the rat city in which the characters live. All of the city buildings, vehicles and even the clothing are made up of everyday human items. The scenery and background are busy with calculated, imaginative details. The frogs and the toad are your average cartoon feature baddies, but the writing gives a fresh spin on the average mobster movie screenplay.

The jokes are fresh, the animation is flawless and the story is sweet. I liked this movie more than “Cars”, and that says a lot. It has been such a crazy great year for animated films, this movie will be looked over come nominations for Oscar’s this January. Which is a shame because this movie deserves some props for its fun and beautiful look and feel.

HERE’S A LOOK AT AARDMAN’S “INSECTS” TOON COMING SOON!