For minutes 8 through 10, the film stops to breathe. Roddy paddles his duck through the sewer. This is the worldbuilding section of .
It takes a privileged, lonely rat, forces him down a pipe, and strands him in a city of garbage—all before you have time to finish your popcorn. If you haven't revisited this opening in a while, do so. Watch the first ten minutes. You’ll see that getting flushed away is terrifying, thrilling, and the best thing that ever happened to Roddy St. James. flushed away 1 10
In the pantheon of early CGI animation, DreamWorks’ Flushed Away (2006) often sits as an underappreciated gem. Directed by David Bowers and Sam Fell, the film is a love letter to British culture, rodent-hood, and the high-octane chase sequences of classic cinema. But for a film set almost entirely in a sewer system beneath London, its success hinges entirely on the setup. For minutes 8 through 10, the film stops to breathe
Rita, on the other hand, is a feisty and determined mouse who becomes Roddy's partner in crime. Her tough exterior hides a vulnerable side, and as the story unfolds, her backstory and motivations are revealed. The chemistry between Roddy and Rita is undeniable, and their banter and interactions provide much of the film's comedic relief. It takes a privileged, lonely rat, forces him
: Look closely at the background in Ratropolis; the city is built out of recycled human "trash" like juice boxes and old electronics. : A stellar soundtrack featuring The Dandy Warhols Billy Idol