Hey, all. Capone in Chicago here.

Believe me when I say, I was holding my breath on this one. Aardman Animation has never produced a bad project. From Wallace and Gromit to Chicken Run to the “Creature Comforts” television series to dozens of wonderful shorts, the uniquely British Claymation house has always entertained me. But when I first heard the concept (some might say “conceit”) of the company’s latest project, I cringed. A CGI-animated feature that looks more or less like a Claymation work. I need to have more faith in these folks, because Flushed Away is a triumph, and it opens the door for more rapidly produced films from these folks.

The visuals are what hit you first. Because of the tremendous amount of water used in this tale of a pet mouse named Roddy (voiced by busy actor of the month Hugh Jackman) who ends up mixing it up with sewer rats and other creatures, there is absolutely no way Aardman could have done this story as a stop-motion work. But just because they went the CGI route doesn’t mean that Flushed Away is slick and polished. The filmmakers have gone out of their way to replicate the flawed character designs and slightly staggered motion of Claymation, and the result is subtle but remarkable (I could almost swear I saw a fingerprint or two in various characters’ bodies.

It doesn’t take long for you to stop caring about the film’s technical aspect and simply dive into this hilarious tale of the pampered Roddy trying to escape the eye-popping sewer-ized London under the streets of the city. And how’s this for a lineup of vocal talents? Kate Winslet as the saucy rodent Rita, who helps Roddy escape the clutches of Toad (Ian McKellen, putting on an extra-villainous tone to his voice) and his henchmen (Bill Nighy and Andy Serkis). But for some reason, my giggle factor went way up at the mid-film introducing of the French hitmen frogs (would that make them frogmen?) led by Le Frog (voiced by, who else, Jean Reno). And mark my words, children around the world will be demanding plush replicas of the slugs in this movie. They are the funniest things in this movie, and there are many to choose from.

Since its set largely in a sewer environment, Flushed Away has its fair share of slimy, grotesque elements to make audiences of all ages squirm with glee. And I have to say, the audience of hardened critics that I saw this film with laughed heartily throughout, which makes me wonder whether adults or children are going to get more out of this film. This has been an exciting year for animated film offerings (with a few exceptions), and I honestly have to say I don’t know which one of my favorite right now (I still have a soft spot for Over the Hedge, now on DVD, by the way), but Flushed Away is right up there.

Jackman is perfect as the British fop, who squeals like a little girl at the first sign of something disgusting. And Winslet’s working-class Rita is the perfect foil. The film has some nice lessons about not judging people based on where they live, and it finally offers Jackman a chance to actually end up with the girl for once this year (he hasn’t had much luck in films like Scoop, X-Men 3, The Prestige, or the upcoming The Fountain). Flushed Away is an unqualified success that will make you thrilled that animation houses like Aardman exist and thrive without pandering.

Capone