This is the house that dave broke

Now this is the type of film that I generally loath because it a) is a sappy Christmas film, b) contains Tom Hanks and c) is targeted at kids. This does not a enjoyable film for me equal. But I went anyway, partly because I'd never seen a full film in 3D before, and partly because I had nothing better to do. It was a tough decision though, as 3D glasses always make you look like a pillock, and it is the kind of film that you seem out of place going into without a child accompanying.

What can I say? By all reasonable logic, I should have hated it. But for some reason I loved it. The animation was spectacular, with the 3D techniques being used not for cheap effects, but to give everything a depth that you can't see in normal films. The storyline, though cliched and somewhat predictable was involving and, dare I say it, heartwarming. By the end of the film, I found myself really liking all of the characters, which is a rare feat. There were also some quite entertaining nuances, such as the compass at the north pole that has S painted on all four points, or Steven Tyler (of Aerosmith fame) as a singing elf. Whilst Shrek succeeds as a family film by being funny to all ages, this succeeds by being genuinely likable. Not once did I even feel stupid to be wearing those ridiculous glasses or to be watching what, in theory is just a kid's film. I walked the 45 minute journey home in British December temperatures with a huge stupid grin plastered across my face.

4 stars. I'm just a little too jaded and cynical to give it 5.