The Pirates! Band of Misfits (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

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!)

THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH SCIENTISTS! IN 3D [2012] [3D Blu-ray + 2D Blu-ray + ULTRAVIOLET] From the Creators of Chicken Run and Wallace & Gromit! Bursting With Fun and Packed Bursting With Gags! Let’s Go Plundering!Set sail for a fun-filled voyage and hilarious pirate antics with the biggest Band of Misfits on the seven seas! When the infamous Pirate Captain [Hugh Grant] is shunned once again by his rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz, he sets his sights to win the coveted Pirate of the Year Award! With his trusted dodo, Polly and rag-tag crew at his side, the Pirate Captain will need to battle a diabolical queen, save a young scientist and never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: Adventure!FILM FACT: Awards and Nominations: Nominated: Annie Awards for Best Animated Feature. Nominated: Character Animation in a Feature Production for Will Becher. Nominated: Production Design in an Animated Feature Production for Norman Garwood and Matt Berry. Nominated: Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production for Imelda Staunton. Nominated: Screenplay in an Animated Feature Production for Gideon Defoe. European Film Awards: Nominated: Best Animated Feature Film. Visual Effects Society: Nominated: Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture for Will Becher, Jay Grace and Loyd Price.Voice Cast: Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton, David Tennant, Jeremy Piven, Salma Hayek, Lenny Henry, Brian Blessed, Russell Tovey, Anton Yelchin, Brendan Gleeson, Ashley Jensen, Al Roker, Ben Whitehead, Mike Cooper, David Schneider, Tom Doggart, Sophie Jerrold, Sophie Laughton, Peter Lord, Kayvan Novak, David Schaal and Mitchell Mullen (Gameshow Host (voice) (uncredited)Director: Peter Lord and Jeff Newitt (co-director)Producers: David Sproxton, Julie Lockhart and Peter LordScreenplay: Gideon DefoeComposer: Theodore ShapiroCinematography: Frank PassinghamVideo Resolution: 1080pAspect Ratio: 2.35:1Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English Audio Description ServiceSubtitles: English, English SDH and HindiRunning Time: 88 minutesRegion: All RegionsNumber of discs: 1Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment / Aardman AnimationsAndrew's Blu-ray Review: Waiting for an Aardman Animations film requires patience and understanding. With the advent of computer-generated animation, the wait has been reduced which leaves cinema-goers in the enviable position of having had two released within 6 months of each other. ‘Arthur Christmas’ was a real treat for the wintery festive season, but now we have a fully-fledged “Claymation” film in the form of ‘The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists’ is based on the first of a series of books by Gideon Defoe, The Pirates! is the first clay-animated film from Aardman Animations since ‘Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.’The rowdy, boisterous buccaneers of ' The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!' [2012] are the most civil and considerate bunch you'll ever meet. This cheerful crew of scallywags is an inexperienced ragtag group who really love Ham Night and don't quite possess the imagination for creating fearsome names for one another. The Albino Pirate [Anton Yelchin] and Pirate with Gout [Brendan Gleeson] are more like oddities than terrifying plunderers while Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate [Ashley Jensen] works hard at remaining a mystery to others. The Pirate with a Scarf [Martin Freeman] is the loyal second in command with a very nice scarf indeed. About the most violent thing you'll ever see from them is a disagreement over the best part about pirating: the cutlasses or the looting.They're a naïve but absolutely lovable lot who think the world of their captain, the conveniently named Pirate Captain [Hugh Grant], voiced with splendid charm by and always emotionally supportive when he's feeling low, which is apparently often. Rubbing his self-esteem the wrong way lately is the annual "Pirate of the Year" competition, which he's been coveting for probably over twenty years but always failed to win. His opponents are a frightful trio of outlaws, which includes, Black Bellamy [Jeremy Piven], Cutlass Liz [Salma Hayek] and Peg-Leg Hastings [Lenny Henry] who are far better in the fine arts of pirating than the poor Pirate Captain's entire crew. They even possess a flair for elaborate entrances with some of the most dramatic use of slow-motion we've in some time.Our affable band of sea dogs may not be endowed with similar talents for theatricality, and even less for looting other ships roaming the Atlantic, but that's precisely what we like about them. Based on the first two books in The Pirates! adventure series by Gideon Defoe, who also adapted them for the big screen, these merry men of luxuriant beard admirers are a motley troop of outsiders amongst a multitude of outsiders. Their captain is the idealist, hopeful but generally misunderstood sort, a rather popular character type in many animated films of late, and dreams of being remembered as the greatest pirate that ever roamed the seas. To prove he has what it takes, his crew stumbles upon a chance meeting of Charles Darwin [David Tennant] and his amusingly clever "man-panzee." When Darwin explains the slightly-overweight, big-boned parrot Polly is in fact the last living dodo on the planet, the captain sees the opportunity for untold riches which would make him a shoe-in at the Pirate competition.This is an underdog story of a different sort, a familiar tale told in another manner, seen it all before yet completely new and fresh. It's with pirates after all! We've never seen that now, have we? The ending is as clear as the edge of the horizon in sunset, but the voyage getting there is an absolute riot, pushed along with many misadventures involving a terrifically comical contest of scientists and a bathtub slide down several flights of stairs. There also the usual hard lessons learned for the little tykes, such as companionship, being part of a crew of pillages and plunderers, loving your inner pirate and realizing the sea-faring life is a joy all unto itself. Along the way, the Pirate Captain and his crew cross swords and exchange some very hurtful words with a scarily furious Queen Victoria [Imelda Staunton], who doesn't hide her discrimination of the pirates, at least.‘The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!' is set afloat by the fine “Claymation” artists at Aardman Animation, the same team best known for their stop-motion clay animation techniques, particularly those featuring Plasticine characters like Wallace and Gromit and the fantastic poultry adventure 'Chicken Run,' which as you know is now available on a on French Release Blu-ray disc. With this Aardman Animations and partnership with Sony Pictures Animation, the British studio brings their signature stop-motion clay animation style with remarkably striking detail, arresting the imagination with every character's fluid movement and a distinct uniqueness in each of their attire. Director and co-founder of Aardman Animations Peter Lord keeps the wit and humour high at all times, maintaining the frame as just the right distance for us see the emotional expressions on characters' face while also taking in the tiniest feature in the background. The animated screwball comedy is probably the best swashbuckling journey through science and history we've ever seen. To paraphrase one of the mates, this is the most educational pirating adventure yet.Aardman Animations strikes gold again with ‘The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists.’ It perhaps lacks the overwhelming charm and fully explored character appeal of ‘Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’ it is funnier and should have a far broader appeal. But with a great cast, a cracking soundtrack, including a cameo performance song by Flight of the Conchords, who are a New Zealand-based comedy band, composed of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement no less, and so The Pirates! is fantastic good solid adventurous entertainment.Blu-ray Video Quality – The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists,’ hoist the sails and set a course for 3D Blu-ray with a splendid 1080p encoded image that will mesmerise the eyes but not exactly enchant the imagination. The most impressive aspect of the image is a natural sense of depth throughout due largely to the style of the stop-motion animation. Several shots, generally those in daylight exteriors on the deck of the ship, display the foreground with clean separation, creating a believable three-dimensional space for the characters to move around in. Objects in the far distance penetrate deep into the background while several gimmick effects extend beyond the limits of the screen at the faces of viewers, especially the pirate flag with the springy eyes. Sadly, the 3D illusion isn't always consistent or that entirely immersive, not really adding much to the film's enjoyment. Several scenes are noticeably flatter than others, but for a majority of the time, dimensionality is impressively entertaining. Presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the picture displays flawless, spot-on contrast and clean, crisp whites, revealing remarkable razor-sharp clarity into the far distance. Black levels are inky rich and intense with precise gradational details throughout, from Black Bellamy's beard to the night skies with a full moon in the background. Low-lit interiors also show deep, dark shadows permeating the screen and adding a terrific three-dimensional feel to the video. The colour palette leans more towards the softer pastel hues, and they're rendered beautifully with bold warmth and a bright glow. Primaries also remain accurate and energetic from beginning to end. The talented blacksmiths at Aardman Animations have also supplied this animated vessel with striking details in every frame. Whether we're looking at the elaborate clothing of the pirates or the staring at each line in their glorious beards, the high-definition transfer exhibits stunning definition. The tiniest buildings on the tropical hills of Blood Island are as clear as those in those in the foreground. We can make out every individual brick, stone and store-sign amid the foggy streets of London. Inside Pirate Captain's quarters, each picture hanging on the filthy walls is visible while every stain, smudge and splotch smeared over the wooden planks making up the room as well as the ship is distinct and distinguishable. In the end, 'The Pirates!' is a bountiful feast for the eyes on this awesome Blu-ray 3D.Blu-ray Audio Quality – For the audio aspect, the most civil pirates you'll ever meet dispense with the pleasantries and jump right into some brilliantly cheerful chanteys for the whole family to enjoy. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack is a mostly front-heavy affair but squeaky-clean with wide imaging and lots of amusingly subtle activity in the background. Dialogue is precise with clear intonation in the vocals, which quickly change from gleefully buoyant to frightful hysteria without missing a beat. Dynamic range is extensive and room-penetrating, providing distinct clarity to the swashbuckling action. Bass is mostly deep and impactful with excellent response, and a few scenes of explosions and rumbling exhibit great moments of powerful low-frequency effects. They're not dramatically intense, but fun nonetheless. The Rear speakers are for a majority of the movie's runtime silent, which is somewhat disappointing, but the occasional ambient effect keeps the lossless mix entertaining. However, the action sequences come with a few sounds which pan from the screen into the back of the room with fluid movement and appreciable directionality, nicely expanding the sound field and providing a couple bits of envelopment. The musical score of Theodore Shapiro and the several song selections make better use of the surrounds, spreading throughout the room and creating a more satisfyingly immersive experience. All in all, 'The Pirates!' pillage and plunder with agreeable rowdy mayhem on Blu-ray.Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:Audio Commentary: Commentary with Director Peter Lord, Co-director Jeff Newit and Editor Justin Krish: Director Peter Lord, Co-Director Jeff Newitt, and Editor Justin Krish deliver a rather dry commentary. It's informative and detailed, but not quite in tune with the light humour that dominates the movie. Discussions include characters and character design, technical details of the filmmaking process, the intricacies of the animation, and more.Special Feature: Pirate Disguise Dress-Up Game [2012] [1080p] Players must "look for the example disguise and try to match each wacky ensemble before time runs out." Play is via the remote control's arrow buttons as users scroll through three options, head, torso and legs, to match the picture on the right.Special Feature: From Stop to Motion [2012] [1080p] [20:52] A fascinating and detailed examination of the filmmaking process. The filmmakers discuss constructing the world around the characters, character design, penning the story, the animation process, crafting the puppets and building the miniature sets, the process of swapping mouths on puppets for accurate dialogue performances, voice acting sessions, live performance foundations, crafting the ship and placing it in a digital sea, assembling the sound effects, and crafting the music.Special Feature: Creating the Bath Chase Sequence [2012] [1080p] [8:22] As the title suggests, it focuses on examination of the process of making one of the film's most complex action sequence, revealing the amount of time and work that goes into a single scene that only lasts about a minute. Best bits are seeing the animators at work.3D Blu-ray Previews [1080p] Additional Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Titles that include ‘Hotel Transylvania,’ ‘Arthur Christmas,’ The Smurfs’ and ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meat Balls.’Finally, from Aardman Animations and the director Peter Lord of 'Chicken Run' comes the latest animated screwball comedy `The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!' 3D Blu-ray from the brilliant and adventurous British Studio Aardman Animations about the most civil and considerate bunch of buccaneers you'll ever meet. With a terrific cast of voice talents behind each character, the film is a clever and witty swashbuckling adventure through science and history. The 3D Blu-ray of 'The Pirates!' arrives with an exceptional three-dimensional picture quality and an excellent audio presentation. With a healthy assortment of supplements that will entertain both young and old, the high-definition package is recommended for animation lovers everywhere and those hankering for more high-definition 3D goodness, you cannot go wrong with this comedy romp. Despite some critics have lambasted this brilliant funny animation, I personally love it and it gains my approval, especially the fantastic 3D eye popping animation, and if you are a massive fan of Aardman Animations like me, then you would miss out on something truly special and now it has been add to my ever increasing Aardman Animations Blu-ray Collection. Highly Recommended!Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 AficionadoLe Cinema ParadisoUnited Kingdom

Very Amusing, not quite as good as Chicken Run but amusing nevertheless.

Sembra di tornare bambini e guardare ai film e a giochi di un'epoca passata, quando si prendevano pupazzetti, giocattoli e scenografie in cartapesta e ci si creava un mondo immaginario che si accendeva in maniera libera, quasi selvaggia, di creaitività e fantasia.E il bello degli autori, gli stessi di Wallace&Gromit, Shaun the Sheep e Galline in Fuga (che sono un po' l'equivalente "in plastilina", dei geni della Pixar) è che creano mondi fantastici con lo spirito giocoso dei bambini ma la preparazione e il gusto di adulti tanto geniali e colti, quanto puri e ancora in grado di divertirsi. Non c'p il fastidioso citazionismo di tanti film di animazione di oggi, non si ammicca ne si cede ai gusti dei teenager, ma gli si propone un salto nel passato eppure con uno spirito modernissimo, una capacità unica di padroneggiare una tecnica così complessa eppure, pur essendo rimasta appannaggio di pochi (la plastilina non ha mai "sfondato" come tecnica a lvello popolare) renderla un valore aggiunto che trasforma questi film unici nel panorama mondiale. Ritmo invidibabile, idee a profusione ma non ammassate tanto per sorprenderci costantemente, quanto per farci vivere un'esperienza densa, ricca, spumeggiante. Ironia e follia che diventano arte pura e puro divertimento. Personaggi irresistibili. E una tecnica fantastica resa alla grande da questa edizione blu ray

è la storia di Capitan Pirata, che prova a vincere il premio Pirata dell'anno ma non gliene va bene una, poiché trova sulla sua strada solo navi senza tesori (la nave fantasma, la nave dei lebbrosi, quella della scolaresca in gita). Finché non arriva alla nave di Darwin, priva come le altre di tesori, ma sulla quale Capitan Pirata apprende che l'amato pappagallo, membro onorario della sua ciurma, è l'ultimo esemplare di Dodo rimasto sulla terra. Il capitano prova così a vincere a Londra il premio Scienziato dell'anno, a fianco di Darwin che cercherà sino all'ultimo di sabotarlo per avere l'ambito premio per sé. Ottenuta la vittoria Capitan Pirata cede alle lusinghe di un'improbabile Regina Vittoria, che lo convince a venderle il dodo in cambio di un enorme tesoro, che Capitan Pirata esibirà ottenendo la vittoria del premio per il Pirata dell'anno. Il premio appena conseguito gli viene portato via con tutti gli attributi pirateschi appena viene scoperto il perdono accordatogli a Londra dalla Regina Vittoria, e a questo punto il povero Capitano comprende l'importanza di quello che ha perduto: l'amico Dodo. Il finale è il rocambolesco tentativo di riconquistare il dodo, che sta per finire sulla tavola della Regina Vittoria e dei suoi amici gourmet. A mio avviso la storia è troppo piena di riferimenti che solo degli adulti possono cogliere (es. il presentatore stile Elvis del premio il pirata dell'anno) e gli accenni caricaturali a personaggi storici sono quasi fastidiosi. Avrei sperato in una bella storia di mare e invece si tratta di un ibrido poco incisivo.

wie bereits in den Wallace und Gromit Filmen oder bei Chicken Run verlassen sich die Macher auf englischen Humor mit viel unverschämten Spaß und Fäkalsprache, hier versucht ein bunt zusammengewürfelte Mannschaft eines Piratenschiffs unter der Leitung eines ebenso ehrgeizigen wie ungeeigneten Kapitäns, Ruhm und Beute zu ergattern. Unglaubliche Detailfreude steckt in den Modellen und Figuren und die Stop-Motion-Technik macht dieses zu einem tollen Film.Auch wenn der Humor britisch ist und nicht für jeden lustig, sorgen witzige Dialoge und mitunter atemberaubende Slapstick für beste Familienunterhaltung, wobei man sagen muss, das eine FSK ab 6 würdig wäre.