Early Man

The story is thin, allowing little room for imaginative engagement, and the comedy uninspired. Early Man contains a nice anti-sexism message, but delivers it half-heartedly.

Early Man is not so much a return to form as it is a long overdue comeback -- and a welcome one at that.

Aardman is a haven for creatures that hail from other species but match us or even outstrip us in proficiency and grace. Early Man, though, is stuffed with men and women...whereas the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air are reduced to extras.

At least there's director Nick Park's playful Silly Putty visual imagination to take your mind off just how thin the story is.

Mostly, "Early Man" plays like an overstuffed episode of "The Flintstones," riffing on caveman accessories, as well as soccer fandom and hooliganism.

The pun-fueled dialogue is a perfect match for the visual ugliness.

No, it's not the best work of a studio known for much higher quality, but it's far from terrible. As they say: their heart is in the right place. [Full Review in Spanish]

Not that the movie doesn't have its charms even for non-soccer-fans-though they may want to duck out for popcorn during the big game. Those who love the game can nudge the rating up a notch or two.

The latest romp from Nick Park is a clever look at prehistoric soccer.

In the end, the great charm of the film is that it will seduce fans... and football opponents alike. [Full review in Spanish]

...lovable characters and humor so innocent some may see it as demodé. [Full Review in Spanish]

While not quite up to Wallace and Gromit levels of stop-motion sophistication, Aardman Animations' Early Man assays a delightfully handcrafted, peculiarly British trip back in time, and one that will tickle the wee ones...