FLY ME TO THE MOON IN 3-D

Directed by Ben Stassen. Voices of Nicolette Sheridan, Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Buzz Aldrin  PG cert, gen release, 84 min

IN THE age of Pixar, nothing deflates the heart more than cheap computer animations for inadequately loved children. One recalls that horrid birthday present of a toxic, dangerously angular Yugoslavian rip-off of Action Man. "Stop sulking! Aktion Tom is every bit as good," Dad would say. "When you get a job, then you can buy your own Action Man."

Anyway. Fly Me to the Moonis far from being the worst film in its unlovely genre. Telling the story of three house flies who stow away on Apollo 11, the film does, it is true, deal in cliches hackneyed enough to annoy even the most forgiving infant. One fly is fat and greedy. Another wears glasses and is smart. A third acts like a universal Everyfly.

Still, the effects are impressive. Youngsters will duck and cover at least once a minute. Adults will grow tired of the rudimentary plot, but may be amused by the appearance of the genuine, living, breathing Buzz Aldrin.

Then again, remembering that the astronaut's name helped inspire a famous character in Pixar's first film, the grownups may find themselves yearning even harder for the right stuff. Wall-Eis still on in a few cinemas.