Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Wallace & Gromit are back... and so is Feathers McGraw. That's probably enough for any viewer. Many might wonder is this going to be as good as The Wrong Trousers. The answer is no, but it's not far off and really only falls short because it's a sequel. It's near impossible to capture the magic of anything as much loved as The Wrong Trousers, even though that was a sequel of sorts. The pairs house has had some upgrades. Wallace's new wake up routine is genius. Not that long suffering Gromit is impressed. He's happy with the simple life. The Pat-o-Matic for instance isn't to his taste. He'd much rather have a nice pat on the head from Wallace. Wallace's latest invention though is for Gromit, to help him in the garden. A smart gnome called Norbot, who instead of helping, ruins Gromit's garden, invading his only sanctuary. The neighbours though are impressed and this kicks off Wallaces scheme to solve their money troubles, Gnome Improvements. What about the penguin you may ask? Well he's doing time at the zoo, but upon hearing of his foe's latest invention. He finds a way to hack Norbot, change his settings to 'Evil' and have him create an army of evil gnome clones. They first terrorise the neighbourhood, besmirch Wallace's good name, help Feathers break out of the zoo and steal the blue diamond that alludes him in The Wring Trousers. The details are delightful. The animation is beautiful. The story first class and the action both gripping and wonderfully cinematic. So no it's not as jaw dropping and perfect as The Wrong Trousers, but it doesn't need to be. It's just as much fun and it's a joy to have a new adventure to enjoy over and over again.

I recommend the movie. The villains were well done, but the human characters aside from Wallace weren't given much to do or say and the climax seemed a little too fast and forced. I do like the story, surprises (aside from a few forced scenes in the last 10 or so minutes) and the comedy. If the climax was better written and the pacing was better with the brief human supporting characters (who should've had more to do), I would've like it more. The Curse of the Were-Rabbit had a better pace and climax and better written side characters, but both had enjoyable stories, main characters and laughs.

I liked it, but I can't say I loved the film. It's an enjoyable experience that entertains from start to finish. The story offers an interesting take on how technology, while essential and helpful in our lives, should never completely replace humans, showing that we can all coexist without one thing overshadowing the other. On top of that, the pacing is well done, with no boring or dragged-out moments, and the runtime feels just right.

The characters remain charming and carry the subtle humor that defines the series, but I have to admit that Wallace's personality irritated me at times. His stubbornness and naivety, which are usually endearing, became a bit frustrating, especially when he completely ignores Gromit's warnings and due to his lazy and complacent attitude. Still, the dynamic between them works well and keeps the charm they are known for.

The biggest highlight, as always, is the amazing stop-motion animation. It's fascinating to see the level of detail and dedication put into the sets and character movements. There were moments when I found myself admiring the painstaking effort behind every little motion and expression, imagining the time and hard work the team must have put in to achieve such perfection.

Overall, I didn't find it amazing or unforgettable, but it's a solid production that does its job well. I'm sure both kids and adults will enjoy it, whether for the nostalgia, the animation, or the clever humor that, even if not always laugh-out-loud funny, keeps a constant smile on the viewer's face.

In a world that's become increasingly scary and divided throughout the year, Nick Park and the team at Aardman deliver unto us two shining beacons of hope when they're needed most, to remind us of the joyous charm and wonders in life. Those beacons take the familiar plasticine form of a dimwitted but kind-hearted inventor, and his silently judgemental but ever-loyal dog.

The Wrong Trousers and The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, both Academy Award-winners, set the bar staggeringly high for stop-motion storytelling, and were always going to be tough acts to follow. Thankfully, Vengeance Most Fowl combines the best parts of both to deliver yet again, while also seemingly drawing great inspiration from Paddington and Mission: Impossible. The pair remain as aloof and comedic as ever, the animation is the best its ever been, and the jokes-per-minute ratio is impressively unrivalled.

Since the pair's last outing in A Matter of Loaf and Death the world has lost the great Peter Sallis. I thought we'd never see Wallace's return, but I'm happy to report that two minutes in I breathed a sigh of relief. Ben Whitehead does an excellent job in the titular role, capturing the same whimsy as Sallis while being just as entertaining and charming. Equally charming is the wonderful score, with Lorne Balfe taking the reins from Julian Nott and once again proving that, to me, few things in life are as instantly mood-lifting as the W&G theme.

Knowing how long it takes to fully realise a stop-motion project (Were-Rabbit took five years to create), it's also remarkable how timely the story is for today. In a year that's seen a concerning rise in the use of AI in film projects, it's delightful to see a strong stance against it come from a film crafted in almost exactly the opposite manner; not only does the film itself portray machine minds as the death of imagination and creativity, but Aardman's immaculately hand-crafted stop-motion and stylised adventures stand as a testament to the power of human artistry, and will forever remain timelessly appealing as they have for 35 years and counting.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is a film moulded with love. Thank you Nick Park, for the years of endless joy you've given the world with Wallace & Gromit. Everyone should do themselves a favour and have a grand day out with these two old friends.

After a long gap between adventures, it's so nice to have Wallace & Gromit back and Vengeance Most Fowl is a worthwhile return that contains all the charm and wit expected of Aardman when they're on peak form. With its timely look at A. I. replacing the human element whilst being left unchecked and the epic finale involving a canal boat chase, it would be a surprisingly strong double bill with Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning.

Ben Whitehead is a fantastic choice to continue Peter Sallis' legacy as Wallace. His vocal performance is nearly identical with only the slightest noticeable difference. Gromit is the MVP as usual, carrying Wallace through everything and Wallace's realisation of how much he needs him provides all the heart. The always funny Peter Kay gets a lot more screen time than before and Reece Shearsmith is equal parts adorable and hilarious as all the robotic gnomes.

Directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham wisely choose not to compete with the jaw droppingly good high speed chase at the end of The Wrong Trousers by going in the completely opposite direction thanks to a very low speed boat chase here. The stop-motion animation has a glossy sheen without losing the distinct Aardman look and the gags come thick and fast. Lorne Balfe's presence in the score only enhances the Mission Impossible comparisons.