The Pirates! Band of Misfits

One of those movies that has clean/clever humor and wit for the entire family. Enjoyed it!

Such a pleasant films with too many gags to list.

My wife and I saw The Pirates! Band of Misfits in the theater while most everyone else was watching the Avengers film. We absolutely loved it, as we have nearly all Aardman work, but realized that there were so many jokes crammed in around the corners that we knew we had to get it on disc to watch at home, where we could pause, rewind and read the backgrounds.The Blu-Ray disc is fine quality with excellent picture and sound. A huge number of (thankfully skippable) previews up front took some time to jump over. There's a "So You Want To Be a Pirate" short which, while fun, is not quite up to the level of the main film. There's also a couple of "making of" documentaries that I have not watched yet.We had finished viewing the movie when my wife asked that we go through the credits slowly, as she thought the actor who voiced "Number Two" (aka "The Pirate with the Scarf") sounded a lot like the John Watson character on the PBS "Sherlock" series (which we had just watched an episode of before.) Sure enough - both were Martin Freeman.One of the many things I like about The Pirates! and other Aardman films is that they are enjoyable on so many levels. Kids will laugh and be thrilled, and adults will laugh at jokes and situations the kids might miss. (For example, "The Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate", who is a minor character but good for a couple of jokes along he way.)This packaging includes Blu-Ray and DVD discs and also a code for UltraViolet, allowing some limited online streaming of the movie. The process for signing up for this was not only cumbersome, but the UltraViolet web site was dead for several days. Doesn't bode well.... While we saw the movie in 3D in the theater, I don't see that it really benefits from the 3D treatment at home. Curiously, if you do buy the 3D version, you don't get UltraViolet!

I originally bought this BD because it had received 5 stars for the 3D effects. But besides the great 3D, this movie had me laughing out loud. If you enjoy Sean the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit, this disc won't disappoint. And even though the digital code expired in 2014, it was still honored.

I thought "Scientists" was a sequel, but actually it's just the original (and UK) title of the movie. There was really only one scientist in the movie, and not much science. (Less than, say, Bill & Teds). Also, and this is important: the short film "So You Want to be a Pirate" is NOT included with the UK "Scientists" version of the Blu Ray.Aside from this, I just didn't enjoy the movie. It wasn't nearly as silly as "A Town Called Panic" or as cerebral as title implied. Many of the action gags move too quickly to really appreciate them. Clay+3D cheats both techniques: the clay looks like 3D, but the 3D doesn't look like people - it looks like plastic.In all, I regret purchasing and watching this movie.

We enjoyed this film. All of the claymation films from this series are great. The child laughed and laughed.

This movie includes a 18-minute min-movie, " so You Want to Be a Pirate," which is funnier than the main feature. Both were in Claymation, with Aardman's usual lunatic humor. The film was funny but it had it's slow parts. Most disappointed that Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) had only the tiniest bit cameos and was not a major character. Best parts were when Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton) was revealed to be a psychotic action character, battling Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant). Pirate Captain wasn't much of a pirate, but more of a comedian. It is a very funny animated feature, but not always. I knew some people loved it, and I did laugh at some of the parts; however, it could have been funnier. Odd that Pirate Captain doesn't sound like Hugh Grant, though it is him. One question: how many floors does Charles Darwin's house have? The characters seem to fall down countless stairs and the gag went on too long. There needs to be more lady pirates. I did notice a lady pirate with a long orange beard and nobody seemed to notice it was a woman. Recommended for anyone who wants to see pirates made fun of.

I love Aardman Animation. Let me start off by saying that. Aardman Animation relies on smart jokes, witty humor, and jokes that don't make you feel like closing your eyes and plugging your ears. They don't rely on fart jokes, popular slang, or current pop culture references and that's what I think makes them so great. I was worried I'd be bored during this movie but I ended up loving it. The pirate captain wants to be pirate of the year more than anything. Charles Darwin wants to impress the queen more than anything. The pirate captain tries everything, and I mean everything to be a better pirate (love the ghost ship joke) but nothing works. He teams up with Darwin in an attempt to win the award, but it comes at a very high price. Will the pirate captain pay it? What I love about this film, is it kept me laughing the entire time and my attention along with it. It's a movie boys will love and one parents can enjoy too. It's got a great underlying theme and not a movie that would make you feel a little stupider after you watch it. With some great voice casting choices and a decent mini movie, this movie is quite the treasure (pun intended this time!)

Disappointing was rather hoping for an amusing light hearted film which was entertaining. Was not looking for “ha ha” funny but the witty intelligent humour of Wallace and Gromit. Sadly this is not that film.This film feels tired and formulaic and for me was lacking in the subtle ironic witticism of Wallace and Gromit. The film just fails to achieve comic escape velocity. This may be because there are too many voice stars with too little to do other than appear as guests. The majority of the characters never seem to develop or shine. Just what does a monotone Martin Freeman bring to the party? Indeed many of the voice “talents” sound plain bored.It is hard to feel that this film is just not more of the same. Indeed Hugh Grant is so laid back as the Captain as to be horizontal. Indeed initially it was hard to determine that it was Hugh Grant’s voice.The animation is what you would expect from Aardman yet that fails to make up for the weak plot and in many instances annoying characters which fail to add much to the story. Overall the film felt “so what?”

Even though I thought this was another excellent Aardman effort I saw this film first at the pictures I think it takes another viewing to pick up all the components that make this so funny. The opening 20 minutes are exceptional and the combination of amusing storyline and the cast of brilliat characters voiced by a very strong collection of actors certainly makes you think this is as good as "Wallace & Gromit." However, there is so much detail that I found myself stopping the DVD to read some of the background information, whether it is the amusing categories on the "Pirate of the Year" application form, the names of the bars and shops in both Blood Island and London or the billboards that offer to get rid of unwanted urchins. Even if you pick up the Irish pirate (a brillaint Brendon Gleeson) wearing a Blue Peter badge, there is plenty more that is not readily apparent - D Y Ying the dentist, for example. The use of the map to illustrate the travels of the Pirate Captain is also a stroke of genius. I would have to say that this knocks the spots off most Pixar films which tend not to be quite so sophisticated with the humour nor throw in the odd joke that younger kids might not understand but which will appeal to adults. The flow of jokes is practically non-stop and the action scenes are dealt with style and panache. The shear stupidity of the film is a delight and I love the references to the way that real-life characters like Charles Darwin, Jane Austen and the Elephant Man all manifest the storyline. Pirates of the Caribbean is obviously a point of reference too but that franchise of films were never as much fun as this effort. British humour at it's absolute best and amusing up to the very last credit.

This animated comedy from the makers of Chicken Run has everything a crazy pirate, a cleaver monkey, a queen and even a dodo, sorry parrot.Aided by his motley crew, an enthusiastic pirate captain ( Hugh Grant ) sails the seven seas and dreams of wining the coveted title of Pirate of the Year, awarded by The Pirate King ( Brian Blessed ). He's had years of humiliation and failed attempts and the other contestants Black Bellamy ( Jeremy Piven ) and Cutlass Liz ( Salma Hayek ) both think they can pillage the most booty and win the award. The captain's quest takes him and his comrades from the exotic shores of Blood Island to Victorian London's foggy streets. They also battle a clever, pirate hating Queen Victoria ( Imelda Staunton ) who has an evil hidden agenda for Polly and join forces with a young scientist named Charles Darwin (David Tennant) and his pet chimp Mister Bobo.If you also throw in Peg Leg Hastings ( Lenny Henry ) you get a good idea of the comedy content of this film.Rated 'U' 88 minutes long

Amusing at times, but very weak plot. Animation well up to Aardman standard, and impressive sets, but 3D effect was poor - my wife watched whole movie without glasses. John Cleese would have made better pirate than Hugh Grant, but other voices fitted characters well.I thought the best part of the movie was the amusing backdrop behind the credits at the end. I expect the audience at the cinema would have missed this as they rushed for the exits, but it's well worth watching.The biggest downside of this DVD was the interminable advertising and logo-popping that has to be endured before getting to the Start Menu. Best to put it into the Blu-ray player 15 minutes before you want to watch it.Overall, at less than five pounds, I suppose it was fair value, but I doubt it will be watched again.

A firm family favourite! 4 year old loves it and parents happy (almost) to have it on near repeat.. Great soundtrack, hidden unoffensive adult jokes, no America-style violence, fast & bright screens or rude references. Why a sequel was shelved is beyond us, a whole series would be brilliant. Can you tell we love it?!