Extra Cinema: Justin and the Knights of Valour (PG)

Undated Film Still Handout from Justin and the Knights of Valour. Pictured: Justin, voiced by FREDDIE HIGHMORE and Legantir, voiced by Charles Dance. See PA Feature FILM Film Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Entertainment One. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FILM Film Reviews.

The eponymous hero is Justin (voiced by Freddie Highmore), a sweet-natured boy who dreams of becoming a valiant knight like his grandfather, Sir Roland.

However, the Queen (Olivia Williams) has banished knights from her kingdom, and has placed her trust instead in lawyers including Justin’s father Reginald (Alfred Molina), who wants him to abandon his dreams and pursue justice instead.

During a visit to his gran (Julie Walters), Justin in inspired to defy his father.

Justin decides that he will bid farewell to his sweetheart Lara (Tamsin Egerton) in order to find his grandfather’s sword.

En route, he joins forces with a plucky barmaid called Talia (Saoirse Ronan) and a soothsayer called Malquiades (Walliams), and gains valuable training from three wise monks - Blucher (James Cosmo), Legantir (Charles Dance) and Braulio (Barry Humphries) - at the fabled Tower of Wisdom.

Meanwhile, banished Sir Heraclio (Mark Strong) and his sidekick Sota (Everett) plot a coup.

Vocal performances are solid but there’s a noticeable lack of sparkling one-liners and the grand finale lacks the big emotional wallop.

The underlying message of kindness and compassion as the real drivers in life isn’t laid on too thick between some competently executed set pieces.

Rating: 6/10