Only about six months behind every other blogger on the block, but I can finally report my opinion of the third Pirates flick (having finally seen it). A lot of people really slated it (maybe even more than the first sequel) but I wasn't going to let that cloud my judgement.

However I have to say, that as with Spiderman 3, I enjoyed it and don't get quite why it received such a pounding. It's probably because the original film (Curse Of The Black Pearl) was so universally loved- that it couldn't live up to the expectations. If you didn't see number 3 on the big screen then I say go rent it, don't listen to the cynics. Admittedly the sequels have tried to introduce an overall epic mythology to the saga that seems a bit unnecessary, and as usual Orlando Bloom is a charisma vacuum but still- ignore the flaws and it's an undemanding Brain-off popcorn flick. (Some people have claimed At Worlds End is comfusing and tough to follow, but it really didn't seem that way to me. Perhaps those people are a bit 'special'). Naturally Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow is the most memorable part of the film- but it's a close-run thing between him and the monkey- who has a much bigger part this time around. You probably shouldn't watch it if you thought number two was rubbish though- this ain't gonna change your mind.

Brilliant UK animation studio Aardman Animations has recently come clean on their current slate of titles- the first I've heard since they announced a distribution deal with Sony. Mixing their traditional claymation style with Flushed Away-style CG, we can look forward to a selection of tiles, including a (non Wallace and Gromit) new film from the genius Nick Park. Although mentioned in the announcement as almost an afterthought, I was particularly excited by the prospect of Aardman co-founder Peter Lord's project- Pirates! Not just for the obvious reasons either- it's based by on a series of books by Gideon Defoe- once of which was the ace comedic novel Pirates! In an Adventure With Scientists, a book I greatly enjoyed. In fact a couple of times I found myself thinking "this would make an awesome movie!". The fact that it'll be animated, and by one of the World's greatest animation studios (Part of the 'Holy trinity' that also includes Pixar and Japan's Studio Ghibli), well that's just icing on the cake. It would have been really expensive to make live action, that's for sure!

In other animation news the Web's greatest animator Weebl (aka Jonti Picking, Creator of Weebl and Bob) has got a doozy of a commission, creating animation for Seasame Steet! Well done Weebl! I've thought for a long time global stardom (beyond the web) beckoned for him, and it looks like it's on it's way. Why not celebrate by watching his latest strange creation Cat Face? He's got a big Cat Face dont you know?

With the 3rd film hitting cinemas this very week, I decided time was right to rewatch the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie. This was the first time I watched it since my initial cinema viewing, nigh upon a year ago- I guess maybe the negative press might have has some effect. But I don't care what anyone says, I really enjoyed it second time round; without the big expectations I just appreciated it for what it was- a big fun popcorn movie made into something more by Johnny Depp's fantastic performance. And it features a genuine monkey pirate zombie! I expect number 3 will be more of the same, but doubtless the critics are already sharpening their knives!