Netquix: Postman Pat: The Movie (2014)

Netflix content reviewed in 150 words. Or thereabouts.

Postman Pat: The Movie (2014)

Dir: Mike Disa

Running Time: 88 minutes

From stop motion small screen to CGI silver screen, everyone’s favourite marrow-schnozzed parcel-chucker makes a distinctly flaky transition to full length feature. Concerning the titular delivery man’s star turn in a national talent competition, the plot is erratically-paced and frustratingly inconsistent. With Stephen Mangan leading Pat’s vocal duties (but jarringly, not his singing), it’s remarkably well cast, which probably explains the film’s remaining deficiencies – namely, the scattershot script and cheap visuals.

 

A Patbot, yesterday.

There's some cheerfully silly slapstick and a few genuinely good jokes (talent show judge Simon Cowbell’s insulting retorts and a Dalek cameo among the standouts), but that they’re hung loosely together up in such a haphazard manner is to the film’s detriment.

But you know what? It doesn’t matter what I think. Meet Elijah. He’s my son, aged 4. He loves Thomas the Tank Engine and Babybels. And he bloody ADORES this film. I press him for a reason why.

“Because I love the Patbots!” he replies enthusiastically, and charges off into the living room, pretending to be one. For four year olds, it would seem Pat delivers the goods.

5/10

Elijah’s score: To the moon and back/10

Elijah, pretending to be a Patbot next to sister Willow, dressed gamely as Jess the cat. 

Still here? Good, because if you fancy it, here's something I did a while back for some reason. It's Mark Kermode's Radio 5 Live review of it in double time, with accompanying illustration. I broadly agree with the verdict, though perhaps a little more charitable. Anyway, enjoy.