Pirates! Band of Misfits

Theatrical Release Date: 2012 04 27 (USA) / 2012 04 27 (USA - 3D)

UPC: 043396407152

Studio: Sony Pictures

MPAA Rating: PG   Contains:[Scatological Humor]

Summary: Set sail for fun with this family-friendly Aardman Animations adventure following a bumbling, abundantly bearded scallywag who competes against his two biggest rivals for the title Pirate of the Year. Try as he might, the Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) just can't be taken seriously as a plunderer. But that might change if he could only manage to win the Pirate of the Year competition. As the event gets under way, the Pirate Captain makes it his mission to leave dreaded foes Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) sinking in his wake. Before that can happen, though, the determined Pirate Captain will have to seek out the help of a love-struck scientist (David Tennant) and defeat a malevolent queen (Imelda Staunton), who might just send him down to Davy Jones' Locker. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Category: Children's/Family

Awards: Best Animated Feature – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Features: All-new mini movie: So You Want to be a Pirate!
Filmmakers' commentary

Exclusive to DVD:
Mr. Bobo's flash card challenge
DVD-ROM link to more fun online

Exclusive to blu-ray:
Pirate disguise dress-up game
From stop to motion
Bubbles of fun: the bathtub chase scene
Peter Lord short films

Pirates! Band of Misfits

Release Date: 08/28/2012

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cinemascope

Audio: DHMA null, DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 88 Minutes

Sides: 3

Number of Discs: 3

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: English,French,Spanish

Chapters: Disc #1 -- Pirates! Band of Misfits
1. Scene 1 [8:36]
2. Scene 2 [6:34]
3. Scene 3 [5:18]
4. Scene 4 [6:34]
5. Scene 5 [6:01]
6. Scene 6 [4:16]
7. Scene 7 [4:39]
8. Scene 8 [5:22]
9. Scene 9 [4:28]
10. Scene 10 [4:45]
11. Scene 11 [4:28]
12. Scene 12 [6:01]
13. Scene 13 [4:41]
14. Scene 14 [4:28]
15. Scene 15 [2:54]
16. Scene 16 [8:49]

Jason Buchanan

Just when it started to look as if the pirate trend had sailed its course and that old Jolly Roger was disappearing over the horizon line, the Aardman Animations ship fires off starboard-blasting clay cannonballs of hilarity from its gun ports, scoring a direct hit on our funny bones. Breezy, colorful, and overflowing with jokes for viewers of all ages, The Pirates! Band of Misfits is yet another winner from the studio that gave us Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, and, most recently, Arthur Christmas. Try as he might, the Pirate Captain (voice of Hugh Grant) just isn't taken seriously as a plunderer. But that might change if he could only manage to win the Pirate of the Year competition. As the event gets under way, he makes it his mission to leave dreaded foes Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) sinking in his wake. But when the Pirate Captain hijacks a ship carrying Charles Darwin (David Tennant) on a nature expedition, he makes a startling discovery about his loyal "parrot" Polly that sends him on an adventure into the heart of London, where a major science competition is being held. Later, just as it appears as if the Pirate Captain's dream is finally within reach, the vengeful Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton) discovers his true identity. A monarch with an intense hatred of pirates, she offers to spare the Pirate Captain's neck for a price. And though at first her offer seems fair, it isn't long before the amiable marauder realizes that in his quest to be the best, he's put his favorite pet in grave danger. Now, in order to rescue Polly, the Pirate Captain will have to take on Queen Victoria herself. Fortunately he won't have to go it alone, because his loyal crew will be battling right alongside him, even if it means taking a long walk off the queen's plank as punishment. Invention has been the cornerstone of Aardman Animations since the very beginning, and that spirit is still alive and well in The Pirates! Band of Misfits. With studio veteran Peter Lord at the helm, this lively adventure sails just as smoothly when the Pirate Captain and his crew are traipsing though the London fog as it does when they're seeking ships to pillage on the high seas. A rousing introduction to the Pirate Captain's opponents and a comedic series of blundered hijackings early on get the action off to a rousing start before a trip to Darwin's house leads to a chase that stays true to the style and energy of Aardman's best work. Meanwhile, a rapid-fire succession of sight gags, surprise cameos, clever quips, and winning characters will have the kids laughing as their parents catch the jokes that fly over their heads. And the gentle moral about remaining true to yourself in the face of temptation comes through in the actions of the characters rather than clunky exposition, ensuring that the story never slows down in the race to its energetic nautical climax. As usual for Aardman, the detail devoted to character design makes Pirates! eye candy of the highest order, and elaborate, computer-generated backdrops give the film a distinctive texture that mirrors the studio's clay-based tradition while also providing a vibrant splash of color that really brings the story to life. And the same could be said for the exceptionally talented cast as well. Grant instills the good-natured Pirate Captain with just enough of a rugged edge to make him alternately dashing and endearing, while Tennant, Staunton, and Brendan Gleeson stand out as, respectively, the smitten Darwin, the villainous queen, and the ever-loyal Pirate With Gout. So hop aboard and get ready for a good time, because The Pirates! Band of Misfits is cinematic booty that shines like gold. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Cast and Crew: David Sproxton  Producer 
Theodore Shapiro  Composer (Music Score) 
Peter Lord  Director 
Peter Lord  Producer 
Carla Shelley  Executive Producer 
Gideon Defoe  Screenwriter 
Julie Lockhart  Producer 
Hugh Grant  Actor 
Brendan Gleeson  Actor 
Martin Freeman  Actor 
David Tennant  Actor 
Imelda Staunton  Actor 
Brian Blessed  Actor 
Jeremy Piven  Actor 
Salma Hayek  Actor 
Lenny Henry  Actor 
Anton Yelchin  Actor 
Ashley Jensen  Actor 
Al Roker  Actor 
Mike Cooper  Actor 
David Schneider  Actor 
Tom Doggart  Actor 
Sophie Jerrold  Actor 
Sophie Laughton  Actor 
Peter Lord  Actor 
Kayvan Novak  Actor 
David Schaal  Actor 
Ben Whitehead  Actor 

Country: UK