Ratchet & Clank | Film review - Sci-fi spin-off from the PlayStation games

A bright-eyed bushy-tailed space feline and a titchy big-brained robot become evil-foiling allies in Ratchet & Clank, a breezy cartoon sci-fi adventure based on the popular PlayStation games.

Ratchet (voiced by James Arnold Taylor) is a sparky young mechanic with dreams of joining the Galactic Rangers, the team of heroes tasked with defending the Solana Galaxy, while Clank (David Kaye) is a defective robot who has slipped free from the production line of mechanical soldiers being assembled by megalomaniac villain Chairman Drek (Paul Giamatti) and mad scientist Dr Nefarious (Armin Shimerman).

The ensuing adventure lacks the storytelling smarts of Pixar and the computer animation isn’t exactly cutting edge, but the action is lively and colourful enough to keep young kids engaged. Older viewers, meanwhile, can occupy themselves trying to spot the voices of Sylvester Stallone, Rosario Dawson and John Goodman among the surprisingly starry supporting cast.

Certificate U. Runtime 94 mins. Directors Kevin Munroe, Jericca Cleland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvWRilQ9lnI

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A film critic for over 25 years, Jason admits the job can occasionally be glamorous – sitting on a film festival jury in Portugal; hanging out with Baz Luhrmann at the Chateau Marmont; chatting with Sigourney Weaver about The Archers – but he mostly spends his time in darkened rooms watching films. He’s also written theatre and opera reviews, two guide books on Rome, and competed in a race for Yachting World, whose great wheeze it was to send a seasick film critic to write about his time on the ocean waves. But Jason is happiest on dry land with a classic screwball comedy or Hitchcock thriller.