Justin and the Knights of Valour – review

As well as taking a voice role, Antonio Banderas is credited as a producer on this Spanish-made animation with English-language vocal talent. The Knights of Valour is a moderate fairytale fantasy, heavily influenced by Hollywood – specifically, the Shrek films. Manuel Sicilia directs, co-scripting with British writer Matthew Jacobs (who, as an actor, appeared in Bernard Rose's modern-day Tolstoy adaptation Boxing Day). They create a ye-olde-medieval-dayes kingdom where the glorious traditions of knights and chivalry have been abolished and replaced with a hideous nightmare of big government and nitpicking bureaucracy. Valiant young Justin (Freddie Highmore) wants to overturn this petty tyranny, and be a knight like his forebears but first he must go on an epic quest, confronting foes such as the conceited Sir Clorex (Banderas), and also win the heart of the feisty Talia (Saoirse Ronan). This movie was surely an undemanding and agreeably paid voice gig for its all-star cast, and an undemanding watch for its audience. It doesn't look bad, but the spark of originality and interest is lacking. PB

s in breathing life into the oft-flagging endeavour. Sadly, it's a losing battle, hampered by some of the most utterly irrelevant stereoscopy I have yet encountered. After a while, I just took off the 3D glasses and watched a large section of the movie in slightly blurry 2D. When I put the glasses back on, no improvement was discernible.