Starchaser: The Legend of Orin

In this animated feature, the obsession with technology only serves to hurtle the kids' space-fantasy genre along the cosmic cul-de-sac it has already entered. The plot is the usual hotch-potch of quasi-heroics and mock-mythical exploits, transposed to a futuristic world realised with all the eclectic imagery (embellished with 3-D) one has come to expect. Orin, our svelte young hero, takes the predictable step from oppressed toiler in megabaddie Zygon's mines to nascent superhero with ne'er a doubting moment. Teaming up with cigar-chewing crystal smuggler Dagg, and armed with the obligatory magic sword, he sets out to foil Zygon's plans to subjugate the universe. Along the way, we are treated to some pretty spectacular landscapes and a whole range of repulsively animalistic robots. The otherwise fine vocal characterisations are spoiled by over-emphasis on sexual innuendo, and the length will probably have kids screaming for ice-creams long before the finish.