Ahoy there! If you’re a fan of animated movies that are packed with adventure and humor, then The Pirates! Band of Misfits is definitely a title that should be on your watchlist. This Aardman Animations comedy follows the misadventures of a group of fun-loving pirates as they go on a mission to become the most fearsome band of seafarers around.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this hilarious tale, including the plot summary and the all-star cast of characters that make it so memorable.
Plot Summary
The Pirates! Band of Misfits follows the adventures of the Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh Grant) and his crew, as they sail the seas in search of treasure and adventure. The Pirate Captain is determined to win the coveted Pirate of the Year award, but the competition is fierce, and he’ll need to do something truly remarkable if he wants to succeed.
Things start to get interesting when the crew encounters Charles Darwin (voiced by David Tennant), who informs them that their beloved parrot, Polly, is actually the last surviving dodo bird. Darwin convinces the Pirates to bring Polly to London, where they hope to exhibit her and earn a fortune.
However, things don’t go quite as planned when the group comes face to face with Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton), who is determined to capture Polly and keep her for herself. Along the way, the Pirates will have to deal with rival crews, monstrous sea creatures, and some unexpected turns of fate.
Cast and Characters
The voice cast for The Pirates! Band of Misfits is nothing short of impressive, with many recognizable names from film, television, and even the world of news. Here’s a closer look at some of the key characters and the actors who bring them to life:
– The Pirate Captain – voiced by Hugh Grant, the Pirate Captain is determined to win the Pirate of the Year award and will do whatever it takes to achieve his goal.
Despite his confidence and bravado, he’s not always the most competent leader. – Polly – the last surviving dodo bird, Polly is the beloved pet of the Pirate Captain and the object of much affection from the entire crew.
She’s voiced by Ashley Jensen. – Charles Darwin – voiced by David Tennant, Darwin is the inventor of many scientific theories and is obsessed with studying the natural world.
When he discovers Polly, he sees an opportunity to prove his theories and earn some recognition. – Queen Victoria – Imelda Staunton brings the iconic queen to life with all the haughtiness and superiority that the character is known for.
She’s determined to capture Polly for her own museum. – Black Bellamy – Jeremy Piven voices this rival captain who is also vying for the Pirate of the Year award.
– Cutlass Liz – Salma Hayek portrays the fearless leader of a rival crew who has a turbulent history with the Pirate Captain. – Peg Leg Hastings – an old friend of the Pirate Captain’s, this character is voiced by Lenny Henry, and adds a touch of bumbling humor to the crew.
– The Pirate King – Brian Blessed lends his booming voice to this powerful and imposing figure, who is the highest authority in the pirating world. – Albino Pirate – voiced by Russell Tovey, this character has a unique look and is often the butt of jokes from the rest of the crew.
– The Pirate with a Scarf – Anton Yelchin voices this crew member who is often seen knitting rather than doing any of the heavy lifting. – The Pirate with Gout – Brendan Gleeson’s gruff voice is the perfect fit for this character, who is often drunk and complaining about his ailments.
– The Pirate with a Hook – this character is voiced by Al Roker, the beloved weatherman from NBC News. He’s not given a lot of screen time, but his cameo is definitely memorable.
Overall, the cast of The Pirates! Band of Misfits brings a lot of personality and humor to their characters, making this a movie that’s as fun to listen to as it is to watch.
Conclusion
In summary, The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a must-see for fans of lighthearted animated movies that are packed with action, adventure, and humor. The all-star cast of voice actors brings a ton of personality to their characters, and the plot is unpredictable and engaging from start to finish.
Whether you’re a fan of pirate tales or just looking for a good laugh, this movie is sure to please. So grab some popcorn, set sail for the nearest couch, and enjoy the ride!
Verdict
The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a classic pirate movie with a twist. This is an Aardman Animation film that combines humor, adventure, and exceptional animation to create an unforgettable cinematic experience.
The twist here is the film’s satirical take on the pirate movie genre, done in a way that doesn’t diminish its charms and fun. One of the things that set The Pirates! Band of Misfits apart from other animated movies is its humor.
The movie is full of clever puns, slapstick comedy, and anticlimactic moments that will make viewers laugh out loud. The humor remains a strong point throughout the movie, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Additionally, the animation is top-notch. Aardman Animations is known for its claymation creations, and this movie is no exception.
The facial expressions, the detailed movements, and the attention to detail in the character designs are all superb and bring the characters to life. The storyline of The Pirates! Band of Misfits is action-packed and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
From battling sea creatures to engaging in epic sword fights, this movie has it all. There is never a dull moment, and the story progresses at a pace that is neither too fast nor too slow.
Box Office
The Pirates! Band of Misfits opened in the United States on April 27, 2012, grossing $11.1 million in its opening weekend. This amount was only enough for it to come in second to think like a Man in the box office.
The movie had a reported budget of $55 million, which may have been high for an animated movie compared to others of its kind. Despite this, the film was able to rake in $123.1 million globally, which is a respectable figure.
Interestingly, the movie did better internationally, grossing $102 million worldwide compared to its $31 million domestic earnings. The reason for this could be that the humor and animation styles appeal more to international audiences or the international marketing was more effective.
Games & Apps
In addition to its theatrical run, The Pirates! Band of Misfits inspired some games and apps, so fans could engage with the characters beyond the movie screen. One interesting app is the Mystery Case app inspired by the movie.
The app was created to resemble the popular game Scooby Doo Mystery Case Follow along as you solve puzzling riddles, and play mini-games in an effort to solve a mystery. This app is suitable for ages 7 and up and was designed for both children and adults.
Another game based on The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a pirate strategy game also known as The Pirates! Band of Misfits. The game lets players command their own pirate crew and carry out attacks on other pirate groups.
The game offered different levels and unlockables that players could enjoy. Overall, The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a fun and exciting animated movie that offers something for everyone.
The movie’s unique blend of humor, adventure, and animation, along with its satirical take on the pirate movie genre, sets it apart from others in the same category. The movie’s global grosses and the creation of its game and app indicates that its audience loved it and sought more ways to enjoy the film outside the theater.
The film is certainly worth a watch and is recommended for anyone looking for a good laugh coupled with a fun action-adventure story.
Overview
The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a claymation pirate movie produced by Aardman Animation. It offers its audience a mix of humor, action, and learning opportunities.
The film tells the story of a group of good-guy pirates who try to win the Pirate of the Year Competition. Along the way, they encounter historical characters such as Queen Victoria and Charles Darwin which adds to the educational value of the movie.
However, the movie also features some mild language and violence.
Content Details
The Pirates! Band of Misfits is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association due to some scary scenes, mild language, and violence. Parents should note that the movie is about pirates, and there are fighting scenes throughout the movie.
The fighting scenes consist of swords and guns. There are also references to kidnapping and hints of nudity, wherein some of the characters are seen in their undergarments.
Furthermore, Queen Victoria and Charles Darwin are prominent historical figures in the movie. There are also references to scientific discoveries such as the dodo bird and evolution.
This aspect of the movie provides an educational value that children can learn from. Overall, this movie is a comedy-action film suitable for families with children.
While the movie has some content that parents may find concerning, it can be a perfect way to spend some quality family time.
Plot Summary (Spoilers)
The Pirates! Band of Misfits follows the Pirate Captain, who along with his band of misfits, are on a mission to win the Pirate of the Year Competition. In their quest for this Prize, the pirates come across Charles Darwin, the famous scientist, who persuades them to visit London with their beloved pet dodo, Polly.
In London, the crew finds themselves entranced by the citys technological advancements, but they also run into Queen Victoria, who confiscates their pet. In an effort to reclaim Polly, the pirates break into the Royal Opera House, and in turn, discover a group of scientists who want to use the dodo for research.
The crew fights their way out of the Royal Opera House, taking along both Polly and a baby that they mistake for treasure. While on the run, the crew encounters Cutlass Liz, who reveals to them that the baby they have is the child of Queen Victorias top advisor and the reason why the Pirate Captain is never awarded Pirate of the Year.
The pirates soon return the baby and Polly to London and are in turn pardoned for their crimes. In the lead up to the Pirate of the Year Competition, they come up with an elaborate plan to hijack Charles Darwin’s new dirigible to attend the event.
The new Pirate of the Year is determined, but through some shenanigans, the Pirate Captain is eventually crowned the winner. The movie is a beautiful blend of humor, adventure, and romantic entanglements.
The animation uses claymation, a well-known animation style developed by Aardman Animation. The animation was done using the stop-motion technique and figurines which is one of the recognizable features from Aardman Animation such as the famous Wallace & Gromit and Morph.
Conclusion
In summary, The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a fun, animated movie that offers a unique blend of humor and adventure. It’s an excellent option for families looking for a way to spend quality time together, with historical value and educational aspects.
While the movie contains some violence and mild language, the content is minimal, and it is an entertaining adventure with a mix of claymation animation. It is definitely a movie that everyone will enjoy watching.
In conclusion, The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a delightful and hilarious pirate movie that will fill the whole family with laughs and adventure, while also providing additional educational value and historical references. The plot is engaging, and the animation style of the film is unique, making it stand out among other movies in its genre.
Despite containing some mild language and violence, the movie is suitable for families with children, as it shows positive lessons about friendship and family. Below are some frequently asked questions with answers to key topics mentioned in this article.
FAQs:
Q: Is The Pirates! Band of Misfits suitable for children? A: Yes, The Pirates! Band of Misfits is rated PG and is suitable for children, however, it contains some mild language and violence.
Q: What is the storytelling style of The Pirates! Band of Misfits? A: The Pirates! Band of Misfits uses claymation animation, created by Aardman Animation; a mix of stop-motion technique and figurines.
Q: Who are the main cast members in The Pirates! Band of Misfits? A: The main cast members in The Pirates! Band of Misfits include Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton, David Tennant, and Salma Hayek, among others.
Q: Are there historical characters in The Pirates! Band of Misfits? A: Yes, historical figures like Queen Victoria and Charles Darwin feature in the movie.
These allusions offer an educational aspect to the movie. Q: What is the box office performance of The Pirates! Band of Misfits?
A: While it grossed $11.1 million in the US, it grossed $123.1 in the worldwide box office, with the international market bringing in most of the revenue. Q: What are some additional ways to enjoy The Pirates! Band of Misfits outside of the movie?
A: Fans can engage with the characters beyond the movie by playing the Pirates! Band of Misfits game or by solving the Mystery Case app inspired by the movie.