PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is a difficult film to review, as it’s not exactly a Pixar film – by which I mean that it makes no concession whatever to the adults who will have invariably been dragged to the cinema. But then it’s not meant for us. It makes no bones about being very definitely aimed at pre-school kids, and in those terms it is an absolute success.

When mad scientist Victoria Vance (Taraji P Henson) manages to adjust the trajectory of a magical meteor, it destroys the PAW Patrol’s base in Adventure City, forcing the pups to relocate their headquarters. Upon investigating the meteor, the pups find magical crystals that give each of them super powers. With Vance determined to steal the crystals, and with a new accomplice in the form of Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo), the pups have their work cut out for them.

I’m going to avoid the whole authoritarian, vaguely fascistic overtones of the PAW Patrol world, the dynamic between Ryder (Finn Lee-Epp ) and the pups, especially keeno Chase (Christian Convery). However, there is something a little questionable about the treatment of both Sky (McKenna Grace) and Liberty (Marsai Martin) in the film – especially since they are the only female members of the Paw Patrol team. When the superpowers are doled out, Liberty is the only one who doesn’t appear to get one, and then later Sky has her crystal stolen. Rather than supporting them, Ryder simply tells them to stay behind while he and the boy pups go off to save the day. Now, none of the pups had any super powers at the start of the film, so why on earth would they now effectively be grounded for simply being the same as ever. Also, Ryder himself doesn’t have any powers. So why is it alright for him to go off and not the girls?

I am aware that I’m essentially picking plot holes in a toy advert for toys here, and I’m only half serious about this, especially since for most of the film Skye is the focus of the film, and given way more depth than the rest of the pups. Her feelings of inadequacy as the smallest of the team are treated sensitively (even if the other characters are about as tactful as a wrecking ball) and the backstory we get for her is full of pathos. Don’t worry, it doesn’t rival anything as traumatizing as what you get in a Pixar film, but her sad past as the runt of the litter did make my 3-year old son sit on my lap for while. He later said that the flashback to Skye’s childhood was actually his favourite bit in the film – so it clearly resonated with him. The inevitable climactic scene where she faces her inner demons is nicely executed, and elicited a joyful cheer from pretty much every child in my screening.

Putting on my serious film criticism hat for a second – it was a little unfortunate that Marshall, Zuma and Rocky were reduced to background characters, and Rubble’s casting as the comic relief of the group doesn’t feel entirely consistent with the characterisation from the TV series (such as it is).

The stunt casting of Kim Kardashian, North West and Saint West is also very distracting (especially when their names are plastered all over the end credits – at the expense of the voice actors playing the main characters) but the surprise appearance of Chris Rock is responsible for the one real belly laugh of the film, which I won’t ruin here.

It’s also a bit weird that Lil Rey Howery is so prominently credited in the end titles when his voice in the UK version is very clearly Sir Trevor McDonald. Just about the oddest bit of regional recasting I’ve ever come across. Thankfully Henson throws herself into her role, and sounds like she is genuinely having a blast as the unhinged villain.

Every cartoon has that episode where all the main characters temporarily get superpowers. This is the PAW Patrol version of that, and though it may just be an excuse to sell a new range of action figures, there’s no denying that this is the plot element that will stick most with the young audiences.

I can’t emphasize enough just how little there is for adults here. However, children who have yet to start school will be entranced by the visually impressive action sequences and the eclectic mix of superpowers. Perhaps the best way of reviewing it is from the perspective of my 3 year old son who attended the screening with me. He was so captivated by the film that about halfway through he stood up, gripping the seat in front of him while staring at the screen. It had my son up on his feet and cheering in the final third, which is really all you can ask for!

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is out in cinemas nationwide from 13 October