Flushed Away
Aardman's first fully-CGI feature film. The reason for using computer animation, instead of the studio's trademark clay animation, was the numerous scenes involving water, which is nearly impossible to do convincingly in stop-motion.,As the movie opens, the little girl pours a whole box of rat food (and its box) into the dish at the front of Roddy's cage. When Roddy slides down to the front of the cage minutes later, neither the food, nor the upturned box is anywhere to be seen.,Liam: He's gonna steal your boat.
Rita: He won't steal my boat.
Liam: He's stealing your boat.
Rita: He isn't stealing...
Liam: He stole your boat.
Rita: What?
Liam: He's like Robin Hood in reverse.,There is a statement in the closing credits: "No slugs were a-salted in the making of this film." The joke is that salt is deadly to slugs.,Distributors choose to remove mild language from the film after an advice viewing from the BBFC suggested that it would not be acceptable for a U rating. As a result, words such as "bloody" and "bugger" were replaced with "blinkin'" and "bother". After the changes had been made, the BBFC passed the film with a U rating.,Featured in HBO First Look: Down the Loo... The Making of 'Flushed Away' (2006),Dancing with Myself
Written by Billy Idol & Tony James
Performed by Billy Idol with Generation X
Courtesy of Chrysalis Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music,I have to admit that I went into this movie with the mixed expectations. I'm haven't been especially impressed with Dreamworks animations, minus "Over the Hedge" which I think is their first film that stands on its own two feet without relying on the popularity of previous animations or pop-culture references.

But enough on that, Flush Away was an enjoyable romp of animation. My only real complaint, is the pacing. The entire thing feels a roller coaster that you ride upside down -- with rotating seats. (Perhaps a contraption Aardman would come up with). The gags are amusing and some are very funny, but I need some breathing/laughing time between them.

Yet if your brain can handle the onslaught of information, you will be able to appreciate the extraordinary amount of creativity in terms of visuals and attention to detail. There's also plenty of adult innuendo and witty jabs at Europeans and Americans alike. Katzenburg's philosophy of making movies "for adults, and the adult in every child." is very evident here. The kids were rolling in the theater with all the slapstick, and the savvy adults had their own laugh track.

In this sense, the film is a success minus the ridiculous pacing. It's worth a look, just leave the Ritalin at home.,