julianbashford Reviews

The Amazing Maurice (2022)

A hugely enjoyable family film

[10/10 · 16 November 2022]

The trick with a film like this is to make a film that is both accessible to everyone, and that includes young children as well as to the Terry Pratchett faithful. I'm delighted to say this film manages both in spades.

The casting is fantastic and the animation, including British animation is wonderful and a delight not to be in the world of Disney for an animated feature. I don't know much about Terry Pratchett, but I have read this book and it manages to hit all the points that I would expect, with great characters and so many laughs in the cinema where we watched an early showing. The children, especially with riveted it seemed.

The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

Leaves you feeling empty

[4/10 · 19 June 2016]

Classic Pixar and Disney films leave you wanting to see it again, to talk about it or read about it. Having watched Secret Life of Pets, which my children enjoyed very much, I left feeling empty.

We agreed, we wouldn't want to watch it again. It's like a composite of nice through to quite funny animal jokes - mainly visual - strung together with a loose plot (which bears a strong resemblance to Toy Story).

For some reason, which I can't put my finger on, I had no warmth for the characters, their peril and the outcome.

There are also a couple of pieces of peril that I thought were too strong for a U certificate. Dogs trapped in a van, sinking under water. Our kids hid their eyes. Not very "certificate U".

So in brief - kids still love for 90 mins. Then move along. Nice, reasonably enjoyable, light and instantly forgettable.