Avast! The first trailer for Aardman Animations next claymation film The Pirates! Band of Misfits has arrived.
Hugh Grant, starring in his first animated role, is the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain - a
boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side (Martin Freeman, Brendan Gleeson, Russell Tovey, and Ashley Jensen), and seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) to the much coveted Pirate Of The Year Award. It's a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Along the way they battle a diabolical queen (Imelda Staunton) and team up with a haplessly smitten young scientist (David Tennant), but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure!
There is no denying the style and execution is pure Aardman. I'm just not feeling the 'zing' right now. All the jokes and humor just feel... tired. I dunno. I have faith in Aardman. Just not feeling the writing right now. Have a look for yourself.