Critter cartoon "Flushed Away" a surefire smash

A wild river chase through the sewers is the film's highlight, but really once Roddy gets flushed underground the action is more or less nonstop.

Sound effects and music play key roles in the comedy. Noises and sounds are familiar yet spring from unexpected sources. Song cues drift in from singing slugs. These colorful, tiny, blob-like creatures burst into pop songs that comment deliciously on the action, joining in with Roddy at one point in serenading Rita. They come very close to stealing the picture from the rodent heroes.

In truth, all the characters are brilliantly conceived both in terms of their physical form and their strong personalities, from which rich comedy is developed by writers Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, Chris Lloyd, Joe Keenan and Will Davies (from a story by Fell, Peter Lord, Clement and La Frenais).

The characters are not as elastic as is typical in CG or, for that matter, even old-fashioned cel animation. The figures are designed to move and behave as if they were made of clay, wood and paint. They pose and use facial expressions with a heavy emphasis on the Aardman trademark of brows and mouths.

The backgrounds, witty takes on the contemporary human world, are colorful and meticulous in detail. Harry Gregson-Williams' rollicking score gives a huge lift to all the comedy.

Cast:

Roddy: Hugh Jackman

Rita: Kate Winslet

Toad: Ian McKellen

Le Frog: Jean Reno

Whitey: Bill Nighy

Spike: Andy Serkis

Sid: Shane Richie

Directors: David Bowers, Sam Fell; Screenwriters: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, Chris Lloyd, Joe Keenan, Will Davies; Story: Sam Fell, Peter Lord, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais; Producers: Cecil Kramer, Peter Lord, David Sproxton; Co-producer: Maryann Garger; Visual effects supervisor: Wendy Rogers; Production designer: David A.S. James; Art directors: Pierre-Olivier Vincent, Scott Wills; Music: Harry Gregson-Williams; Head character animator: Jeff Newitt; Editor: John Verzon.