Parents may, without knowing it, have become connoisseurs of nWave Pictures' uneven projects over the past decade or so. This is the Belgian animation house behind such family films as Fly Me to the Moon and A Turtle's Tale. nWave is to Pixar as Partytime Cola-flavor Drink is to Coca Cola. Nothing about the products will cause actual vomiting, but nobody is likely to confuse them with the real thing.

All those points sarcastically made, it should be acknowledged that The House of Magic does offer a substantial leap forward for our European friends. The animation is still a little blocky. The dialogue does not trip off virtual tongues. But it has a lovely central character, effective comic foils and an agreeably warm-hearted story. No adult will enjoy it all that much, but few will feel the need to bolt for the concessions stand once kids are safely deposited.

The film follows a marmalade cat who, after being callously abandoned, ends up in an echoing house that neighbours believe to be haunted. In fact, the establishment belongs to an elderly magician who lives alone with a grumpy rabbit, a sly mouse, cute doves and various unnerving props.

More than a few questions are kicked up during the film’s zippy passage. Why on earth is a Belgian children’s film set in Boston? Why doesn’t the cat eat the mouse? Does the magician have actual magical powers, or is the ambulatory lightbulb man just a cunning illusion?

Mind you, these questions will not trouble the core audience. Aw, look at the nice puddy! He is nice, actually.