Flushed Away [2006] - DVD (Kate Winslet, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Bill Nighy - Dir: David Bowers)

Flushed Away is a rip-roaring nautical adventure with a twist: The heroes are a pair of rodents braving the sewers underneath London. Roddy (voiced by Hugh Jackman) is an upper-crust house-mouse who finds himself flushed into the subterranean sewers. Eager to return to his posh home, he enlists the help of a boat-captain rat named Rita (Kate Winslet), who has troubles of her own; namely the kingpin of the underworld, the Toad (Ian McKellen), and his henchmen including the French mercenary Le Frog (Jean Reno).

While technically Flushed Away could be considered part of the wave of celebrity-voiced, anthropomorphic-animal movies that hit in 2005-2006 (Madagascar, Over the Hedge, The Wild, etc.), it doesn't inspire the same sense of déjà vu. For one thing, its voice actors are less recognizable than the likes of Bruce Willis and Chris Rock. For another, its look is very distinctive. Like Nick Park's Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, it's a joint production of DreamWorks Animation and Aardman Features, and although Park isn't involved, it retains his trademark blocky look of clay animation. But animating the movie by computer rather than by hand allows for some eye-popping tableaux, such as floodwaters rushing through the sewers and an entire town of little animated characters. It's a crazy thrill ride loaded with inside jokes and enough crude humour to earn a PG rating, and the band of singing slugs is also a hoot. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews of Flushed Away [2006]

O. M. Aszkenasy
Washington, Tyne & Wear United Kingdom
26th December 2008

5 stars!
Got it for christmas. It's by far the best movie I've ever seen. The characters, the voices and everything else in the movie is simply Excellent.

Becky Sharpe
Newmarket, U.K.
18th December 2008

Chasing, chasing, chasing, tied up, tied up, tied up!!
'Chasing, chasing, chasing, tied up, tied up, tied up!!'

That was how our one of our five year olds summed it up; he doesn't watch much TV and that may have been partly why it all seemed a bit frenetic to him.

His parents didn't like it either.. I can see I'm going against what a lot of reviewers felt about ths film but I found it all rather..ugly, busy, and pointless with none of the visual charm and wit of the Aardman claymation films.

Zoe - puzzler
Cornwall
6th August 2008

World's second most perfect film
I don't wish to repeat all the astute observations given by the other reviewers. This is indeed an hilarious film, appropriate for all ages, expertly voiced by one of the finest lineups of actors I've seen in an animated adventure.

Three reasons to see this film:
(1) singing slugs;
(2) frog mime;
(3) the rest of the film.

I consider this to be the world's second most perfect film. Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is still number one. But then, Were-Rabbit has Wallace and Gromit, and was hand-animated. Let's consider this a *close* second.

spinagain2
London
5th August 2008

Trust me, you will laugh!
After watching the oh-so-brilliant Rataouille last week and sitting there with my jaw hanging open at the brilliance of its execution and style, I was in the mood for another reliable source of animated genius: Aardman. I have always been suitably impressed with all their work and actually nearly busted a gut laughing when watching Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were Rabbit not so long ago so I thought I'd give it a try. To be honest, I was beginning to lose faith in the CGI animated movie genre after the recent influx of these films has brought about some really pointless crap (Hoodwinked anyone?) and often they can be far too hit and miss to part with your money for. With Flushed Away I made an exception and thank god I did. It starts off a little sober and neglects to set the scene somewhat so, initially, you find it hard to root for a character you really know nothing about. Then, however, the action comes tumbling out and the film begins spewing gags at break neck speed. We're not talking particularly intellectual gags here but actually some of the most physically painfully hilarious visual gags I have ever seen in a movie of this genre. I was literally weeping through a good 50% of Flushed Away, it was absolutely spot on. The amphibians in particular are inspired (especially the mime-frog with the mobile phone) As for the story, its a little hard to swallow as there are big gaping holes and that is why I gave this film four stars; we never really find out what got the sewer rat into the house in the first place, how come football was so important when it hadn't been mentioned before etc. The action is very fast too and there's alot to look at in a short amount of time but I'm looking forward to seeing more and more with each viewing. If you want to laugh, and I mean laugh, then definatley buy this visual masterpiece of animated comedy. If a more substantial tale (get it) about rats, with real heart and soul then Rataouilles your movie. If, however, you're not picky then buy both. They're both excellent and worthwhile additions to any animation collection.

Christina Allen
Nelson, Lancashire
14th July 2008

Family Favourite..
Most people would look at the front cover and instantly think,'Its for kids', but i can asure you that anyone who will watch it will enjoy it. Ever heard of, never judge a book by its cover?!

Im 15 myself, and usually i go for the girly ones, but i really enjoyed this one.

Well known actresses and actors star in this film, stars such as Kate Winslet and Ian McKellen feature as the animated characters voices.

Definately one for the family, whether your 5 or 55 ime certain you will enjoy it.

From amazon, its a bargain! Grab it while you can!

Hope this helps x