There was something missing from The Incredibles, and this film is — while not a misstep — one of Pixar’s rare films that lacks a certain distinction. It’s nice, it’s cute, it’s sweet, it’s funny and it’s even sad, but the X factor from Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Wall.E that’s hard to pinpoint just isn’t to be found here.

Nigel starts opening up to Alex about his crackpot theory that they’re both descended from the line of the Knights Templar and have to carry on their holy quest. Told in flashbacks after Alex is imprisoned and charged with Nigel’s murder, it borrows elements from far better psychological thrillers and shockfests.

You couldn’t ordinarily term a movie beautiful where just two of the scenes contain an infirm body swathed in bandages being thrown from a hospital room window or a decapitated head sinking to the bottom of a swimming pool.