The film-makers behind this chirpy family animation have clearly decided that what have been lacking in the hero department of Greek mythology are cute furry creatures. The star of their ancient Greece-set adventure is a brave little mouse called Pattie, who happens to live in the same seaside town as Jason, that mighty human of Argonauts fame. These days, Jason is a doddery old duffer so, when Poseidon, god of the sea, steals the golden fleece and threatens mayhem and destruction, it’s plucky pipsqueak Pattie to the rescue.
There is nothing to complain about in the animation here from French studio TAT Productions: the cobbled streets and crystal-clear waves of the Aegean sea are gorgeous, like Mamma Mia! for kids. And there is a cracking action sequence near the start involving an elite squad of highly trained ninja rats pulling off a raid on a fruit and veg market. But the plot – like so many movies aimed at young kids – is unnecessarily fiddly, with details that will sail over the heads of most five-year-olds.
