The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists.

Pirates! marks Aardman's first claymation film since 2005's Wallace and Gromit outing, following the luke-warm success of their digital animation efforts (Flushed Away and Arthur Christmas, both of which were rather enjoyable and underrated IMHO). But this is Aardman back on their own territory and back on great form.

There is something very British about the whole effort - from small visual gags including a Blue Peter badge to the overall silly and anarchic sense of humour that owes at least some of its comic DNA to the likes of Monty Python (the illustrated map journeys are at least somewhat reminiscent of Terry Gilliam's illustrated interludes).

There's also much here to love - from the character names that part inspired, part lazy (Pirate Captain, Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate, Pirate with Gout) to the visuals that feels both homemade and impressive at the same time to the more clever and subtle gags about Darwin's theory of evolution. There are moments of genius in the mix - like the monkey who speaks through the medium of speech cards.

The voice cast is strong (Brendan Gleeson, Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton, David Tennant) but special praise should go to an almost unrecognisable Hugh Grant who brings something special to the Pirate Captain.

Overall - 8.5/10 The whole film is filled with such an inventive and exuberant sense of fun that it will keep you laughing right through the closing credits.