As the computer-generated dust settles down after the first waves of digital cartoons washed up at your local multiplex, it's time to take stock.

With an animated visual treat virtually guaranteed, the question is: have the filmmakers devoted any of the budget to plot and character?

With the likes of Shrek, The Incredibles and Finding Nemo the answer is yes. But in a small minority - Shark Tale for instance - the eyes have been engaged more than the mind.

This outing from Ice Age director Chris Wedge happily falls firmly into the former. It's a simple tale, well told and sublimely served by a digital sweetshop of computerised eye candy.

In world composed entirely of metal, young robot Rodney Copperbottom (McGregor) quits hicksville Rivet Town to make for the gleaming towers of Robot City.

As an aspiring inventor, he's determined to work for benevolent magnate (or should that read magnet?) Mr Bigweld (Brooks) - "the greatest inventor of all time. "

However, he's been usurped by corporate tyrant Ratchet (Kinnear), a body fascist who wants to sells shiny body parts to robots who can afford them...and scrap those who can't.

Only Rodney and a rusty crew of MoT failures stand between dastardly Ratchet and his brave new world of Vorsprung durch Technik.

Wedge raises the bar as far as CGI animation is concerned but has also concocted a rather sweet story where babies come in kit form and "labour lasts for 12 hours."

Robot City is a wonderful creation, a retro collision of 1950s kitchen appliances and the inner workings of the showiest pinball machine.

Hollywood's A-list provides the voice talent - McGregor, Halle Berry and an impressive Robin Williams - while Britain's C-list fills in the gaps - Chris Moyles and Eamonn Holmes.

When it comes to family entertainment, Wedge certainly knows his nuts and bolts with splendid set pieces - Rodney's magnetic attraction - propelled along at a cracking pace.

Entertain. Entrance. Amuse, Robots can do anything these days.

Tim Evans