'Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang' great fun all round

Swimming, flying piglets and loads of charm welcome the return of Thompson’s warts-and-all Nanny, another film so full of fun and colourful, larger-than-life characters you just have to love it.

It’s wartime Britain and sweet-natured mum (the always excellent Gyllenhaal) is running the farm while dad is off fighting.

Her children, meanwhile, are waging war with their spoiled city cousins who have come to stay … and in the background lurks evil uncle Ifans with his greedy eyes on the farm.

But Nanny, who always turns up where and when she’s most needed, soon weaves her magic.

Those remarkable porkers, supported by some other equally remarkable animals, play their part in the magic. And magical is the keyword in Thompson’s screenplay … great fun all round.

Star Rating: 4/5