Rally Road Racers

This hyperactive Disney knock-off unfolds, for a while at least, like a demented cross between the pod race sequence from The Phantom Menace, Pixar’s Cars franchise and a pre-school Fast and Furious.

This is very bizarre stuff, even within the traditionally weird parameters of cultural representation in cartoons, but kids won’t mind as it’s one non-stop riot of colour and vroom-vroom movement.

A diverting joy ride for the littles.

Animation-wise, there’s a fun racing sequence replicating A-ha’s Take On Me video but, mostly, the landscapes are boring and lifeless.

Rally Road Racers is nothing special, but will plug the gap while the kids wait for the next big Disney juggernaut.

The film is a mid-budget product that sticks to formula, but at least the animals-in-cars action is lively, and the voice cast makes an effort.

Richard Lewis and Steven Parker’s excellent sound design...really brings the races to life and cinema viewers will feel the thrum of the engines in their bodies as they watch cartoon cars sprint across the screen.

The animation is stiff, the direction is limited, in all respects, by imitating previous blockbusters, and the cultural references are so outdated that they are embarrassing. [Full review in Spanish]

You don't need to spend millions on CGI and marketing to have a fresh, clever family film with a heart.

This engaging animated feature for the entire family is a reminder that the indie spirit is alive and well in the world of animation.