THUNDERPANTS

Patrick Smash (BRUCE COOK) is a boy with an unusual problem. He was born with two stomachs and an incredible capacity to break wind - not only whenever he wants to but also in the most inappropriate of places. Driven to distraction by his son’s violently windy outbursts, Patrick’s father (VICTOR McGUIRE) leaves home, abandoning Patrick, his mother (BRONAGH GALLAGHER) and sister (NAME). At school, life is equally difficult for Patrick who is taunted by his headmistress (CELIA IMRIE), teased by his schoolmates and bullied in the playground. Only one boy befriends him, Alan A Allen (RUPERT GRINT), a child prodigy and a brilliant scientific brain who is gifted in every sense but one – he has no sense of smell. As an eccentric and a genius, Alan too is singled out for taunting and teasing. Bonded by their playground experiences at the hands of their classmates, Patrick and Alan form a firm friendship. While Patrick dreams of becoming a spaceman, Alan sets his sights on becoming a famous inventor. In his sophisticated laboratory, he builds a special outfit for Patrick, a pair of trousers which will safely contain the force of his flatulence. They christen the outfit ‘Thunderpants’ and Patrick’s daily life is vastly improved. No more noisy interjections in school assembly, no more playground mishaps – life is OK. Alan and Patrick enter a non-assisted flight competition and construct “Thunderpants 2”, a wind-assisted machine which harnesses the power generated by Patrick’s stormy stomachs. When they win the contest, they are presented with their prize by Sir John Osgood (SIMON CALLOW), the “second-best opera singer in the world” who notices with interest that Patrick is able to produce a note from his nether regions that is identical to the highest musical note ever sung. To his unending chagrin, Sir John has not yet reached this peak unlike his operatic rival, Placido Placeedo (ADAM GODLEY), the “best opera singer in the world”. When Alan A Allen is whisked away by an FBI team led by Johnson J Johnson (PAUL GIAMATTI) to assist on a troubled scientific project, Patrick is left alone and unhappy. Until he is sought out by Sir John Osgood and offered the job of secretly producing Sir John’s top C from his backside on an operatic tour. Patrick seizes the opportunity to travel the world in search of his missing best friend. Osgood’s career flourishes with Patrick’s help as he hits the top note again and again, knocking his rival Placeedo off the top spot. Placido Placeedo becomes suspicious and when he discovers the real reason behind Osgood’s success, he sabotages his next big performance, revealing his hidden accomplice Patrick. In the chaos that ensues, Placeedo is accidentally killed and the disgruntled and dishonest Osgood ensures that Patrick gets the blame. Patrick Smash is labelled a cold and devious murderer by his family, his teachers and the bullies at school and subsequently sentenced to death for his crime! He is saved at the last minute by the intervention of the US Government, and the mysterious Johnson J Johnson, who take him back to USSC (the US Space Centre) where he is finally reunited with Alan A Allen under the watchful eye of space chief Edward Sheppard (NED BEATTY). It is now that both of the boys are able to realise their dreams, together as a team, proving to all those who doubted them that no matter what your obstacle, there is always a way….