Pyrats is only one minute and thirty seconds in length, but boy oh boy is it a sumptuous feast of animation or what!? It opens the proceedings with a one eyed pirate bound and held on a platform with a rope around his neck, ready to be hung and quatered for some sort of crime. Not to fear, however, as the following scenes resemble Disney quality animated magic.

Five fellow pirates charge, jump and attack their way through a small army of soldiers, displaying various skills and abilities atttributed to their demeanour.

The large pirate bashes his way through the enemy; one skilled with the knife throws his weapon with the accuracy of a bow and arrow; the female protagonist doesn’t a have skill per se, but uses brawn and a bottle to take out her enemies; one who seems more at home in a mansion and Darjeeling tea is handy with his pistols and bombs; and finally the lead pirate does what any pirate should be doing: swashbuckling his way through a barrage of soldiers.

The film is brilliantly funny, as the pirates reach their colleague, they slap him about before demanding something which they require. It’s a hilarious little turn of events, as you’re always sure they’ve come for their comrade.

I have to say that as beautifully animated as it is, it’s also rather violent, so perhaps it may not suit younger children. Necks are broken, knives are slashed across bodies and stuck through helmets, swords cross and men fall. They’re Disney pirates in all but action, even though you don’t see gore or blood of any description.

The backgrounds, though static, are also wonderfully drawn, and the switch to the 3D is seamless; the entire production is just remarkable. To think it took seven months for the production team to finish a mere one and a half minutes; the results are crying out for a feature length production, even though it may not be imminent.

Verdict: Gorgeous animation, incredibly entertaining