Sentence:  But Pirates! comes with all the usual Aardman strengths intact, particularly the sense that its <WSD>characters</WSD> and creators alike are too good-hearted and sweet to nitpick. The ambition is all in the craft rather than in the storytelling, but it's hard to say no to the proficiency of that craft, or the mild good cheer behind it. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A being involved in the action of a story.