Fore-note: First
of all, and just to let everyone, this review is based upon my opinion – and my opinion only – concerning the
film Flushed Away. Should anyone else disapprove of my views otherwise, it is
probably because they saw the film as well…and liked it more than I did. 
Secondly, there is some
spoiler content in this review of mine. So, if you wish to remain surprised before your first viewing of this
film, it would be best for you to back out now.
Flushed Away is the tale
of a rodent named Roddy St. James, who lives the high-life above the stingy sewers of London. When a rat by the
name of Sid invades Roddy’s home and flushes him down a toilet, Roddy comes to learn what life is like below the
streets of England. With a rat named Rita as his guide, he discovers that family and friends can contribute
greater rewards than all the jewels in Europe.
Well, I suppose I shouldn’t be too stingy about this
production. I have to admit that, despite the shocking change – concerning [i]Aardman Productions –
from clay to computer animation, the film definitely deserves some credit for its complex, elaborate settings.
The animation itself is beautiful to look at – like the film Robots, it is impossible to take
in everything that is silently nudged into every nook and crany within the complex of the sewer. Even the
residence where Roddy (previously) roamed at his leisure is packed to the brim with things to see. There are even
the few Wallace and Gromit references tucked away within the film, only visible to
the “quick-eyed” viewer.
As for the story-line, I am not quite certain as to what comments I
should make regarding the very elaborate and action-packed plot of Flushed Away. The
producer’s intentions are pretty clear within the first few minutes of cinematic magic:
[i]Roddy is a spoiled pet who has never known anything beyond the confines of the mansion in
which he resides. All of this changes, however, when his owners go on holiday, and a rat named Sid kicks Roddy
out of his own home and down the toilet…into the sewers of London.
Roddy desperately longs to return to the
home he has always known, but first, he must find someone to help him escape his new prison. With a bit of help
from a local resident of the sewer – a pirate, to be exact – , he stumbles across a rat named Rita, who already
has a few problems of her own…[/i]
I won’t go into the finer details of the remainder of
the film, although you will probably be able to guess the numerous outcomes that place if and when you go see the
production yourself.
The story was simple at first: the characters’ intentions were clear enough that
one could get a good “head on his/her shoulders” as far as the plot was concerned. Then, things began
to get a little bit tricky. More characters and back-stories were introduced, so that I was required to remember
more than one (important) aspect of the film so as to keep “on track”.
Comedic moments abounded
within the complex of the story, some more hilarious and clever than others. I did laugh particularly hard during
two or three scenes of the film, which is, I suppose, a good sign. However, the draw-back to this what that most
of the jokes and wise-cracking gags came from the numerous slugs that slimed their way onto the screen every now
and then. I’m not saying that this is a bad thing – it just seems as if the film depended on its many slugs to
revive the ever-growing hunger for comedy.
The characters were rather interesting and engaging,
unsurprisingly, this being a part-Aardman production. Rita, the female rat, was especially fun to watch, as she
sort of…moved the film along, so to speak. There were actually one or two parts – involving her and Roddy –
that almost had me in tears, actually. I surprised even myself…
I seem to recall a member on these
boards giving his (or her) two-cents worth on the film, explaining that the real reason why this film has not
gone over so well is because of DreamWorks’ involvment in the production of
Flushed Away. This may well be the case, though I will resist judgment until further
notice.
Overall, I would give the film a 7 out of 10 rating; a B-, as far as my standards are concerned.
I would go see the film anyway, if I were you; not just for the laughs, but for the eye-candy. At least we can
never have too much of that… 
– Mitch
Your opinions?
