5 star star-studded animated adventure.
The Amazing Maurice is a 2023 animated adventure film based on the 2001 novel The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents written by the late great Terry Pratchett (Good Omens, The Hogfather).
With a screenplay by Terry Rossio (Aladdin, Shrek) and directed by Toby Genkel (Little Bird’s Big Adventure, The Ogglies), this wonderful children’s film is available to buy now on DVD and Blu-ray courtesy of Dazzler Media.
“Rats. Twitching noses, cunning faces, hiding in the strangest places. Always gnawing, clawing, peeking, climbing. jumping, squealing, squeaking.”
Maurice (Hugh Laurie – House, Tomorrowland)is a large, talking ginger cat, who has made it his business to assist towns and villages to sort out their rat infestations, for a fee. As it happens, he also provides the rats, as he has discovered a group of intelligent and self aware rats. These talking rats lived on the rubbish dump beneath the Unseen University in Ankh Morpork and fed on magical scraps which changed them forever. Lead by Darktan (Ariyon Bakare – Life, The Dark Knight) and spiritual leader Dangerous Beans (David Tennant – Broadchurch, Doctor Who), the little group also includes Peaches (Gemma Arterton – Summerland, Clash of the Titans), who wears a headscarf and Sardines (Joe Sugg – Thatcher Joe), who wears a top hat and loves to tap dance.
To help with the scam, he has enlisted Keith (Himesh Patel – Yesterday, Don’t Look Up), who can play the flute and masquerades as the Pied Piper. The rats are saving money to go to “The Island Paradise”, a place they believe has talking animals who wear clothes just like them. In fact it is just a children’s story about a rabbit called Mr Bunsy.
Their next target is the town of Bad Blintz, but as soon as they arrive they realise something is wrong. There is no food to be found and the Mayor (Hugh Downton Abbey, Paddington) is having trouble with the Rat Catchers Guild, who seem to be under the influence of the mysterious Boss Man (David Thewlis – Naked, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). With the help of Malicia (Emilia Clarke – Game of Thrones, Terminator Genisys), the bookworm daughter of the Mayor, they must try and find a way to save the town.
“The concept of the belt is worthy. You never know what you’re gonna need next.”
The Amazing Maurice is a brilliant adaptation of a fantastic children’s story. The animation style is beautiful and the voice acting is every bit as good as you would expect for such a great line-up.
It brings the Discworld to life in glorious technicolour and will delight Terry Pratchett fans both young and old with his trademark brand of comedy. A lovely watch for the whole family and well worth adding to your collection.
“The world doesn’t have a plan. Things just happen, one after another.”
Dazzler Media presents The Amazing Maurice on Blu-ray and DVD from 1st May 2023
| Director | Toby Genkel |
| Author | Terry Pratchett |
| Genre | Animation, adventure, comedy |
| Starring | Hugh Laurie, Emilia Clarke, David Thewlis, Himesh Patel |
Available to buy on :   | |