Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl review – Britain’s premier stop-motion heroes are better than ever in new rematch with Feathers McGraw

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl review – Britain’s premier stop-motion heroes are better than ever in new rematch with Feathers McGraw
5.0 out of 5 star rating

As a longtime admirer of Wallace & Gromit, I must say that Vengeance Most Fowl has left me utterly enchanted! With my cup of tea by my side and a grin from ear to ear, I found myself swept away in the whimsical world of these delightful characters.


Ponder over the idea of a universe devoid of Wallace and Gromit, a thought that’s inconceivable. This is due to the fact that these cherished characters created by Nick Park have become as deeply ingrained in British culture as a playful cup of tea or a piece of Wensleydale cheese.

However, for a brief spell not long ago, it appeared as if our beloved stop-motion characters’ future wasn’t particularly promising…

In March 2023, it came as a shock to many fans when the factory that provides Aardman Animations with their modeling clay unexpectedly closed down last year.

It’s a relief to learn that rumors about halting the production of their latest film were overblown, as here we are, 18 years after “A Matter of Loaf and Death,” finally getting a new Wallace & Gromit adventure. But will it be worth the wait?

“Ugly Vengeance” – This sixth installment, and the second standalone since “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” from 2005, is scheduled for release in the UK this Christmas (and on Netflix on 3rd January elsewhere), but beware, it’s not your typical holiday movie.

As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to be part of the excitement surrounding the return of Wallace & Gromit, masterfully directed by Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. This time around, we have the formidable Feathers McGraw making his comeback, a penguin whose cunning and power could give both Thanos and Darth Vader a serious run for their money!

It’s been three decades since this feathery adversary made an appearance in the 1993 film “The Wrong Trousers,” or if we consider his brief role in last year’s “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” it’s been a long time for such a resentful and vengeful bird to languish in prison. This is an extended period for any prisoner, but particularly so for one with beady eyes and a burning desire for revenge.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl review – Britain’s premier stop-motion heroes are better than ever in new rematch with Feathers McGraw

By employing some underhanded tactics we’re not disclosing, Feathers McGraw manages to exploit Wallace’s latest creation – a ‘Nifty Odd-jobbing Robot’ gnome called Norbot – in order to retaliate against the duo who thwarted his schemes long ago.

It’s not as straightforward as it seems, but long-term enthusiasts might find it intriguing to discover that Vengeance Most Fowl has stronger connections with The Wrong Trousers than initially thought, effectively turning this latest installment into a sort of follow-up sequel.

Rest assured, even if some adults have brief memories or children are impatient and haven’t yet seen the early Aardman masterpieces, they will still enjoy Vengeance Most Fowl just as much.

technology has advanced significantly over the past three decades since “The Wrong Trousers” received both a BAFTA and an Academy Award, and all this visual ingenuity shines brightly in this franchise’s most visually impressive installment to date.

As a devoted cinephile, every sip of tea and morsel of cheese feels incredibly lifelike, just like Gromit’s expressive visage that never fails to captivate. Yet, despite this meticulous attention to detail, the heart and soul that Aardman Animations is renowned for remains palpable in every frame.

As a film enthusiast, I’m always amazed by the progress in visual effects, but what sets Wallace and Gromit apart is the dedication of their creators. They still animate each frame by hand, maintaining that cozy charm that seems to be fading from today’s CGI-heavy films. It’s this personal touch that makes every scene feel special and heartwarming.

Each carefully constructed moment, filled with humor, hidden gems, and an abundance of puns, demonstrates the attention to detail and care put into every scene. This meticulousness carries over to the movie as a complete work.

In this rephrased version: The film, boasting dialogue as sharp as cheddar cheese and a stellar cast (featuring Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, and Lenny Henry), is so engaging that its brief 79-minute duration seems to whiz by, leaving you wishing there was more because it’s simply fantastic.

Wallace and Gromit continue to be as endearing as ever, even after all this time since our last encounter with them. Conversely, Feathers McGraw hasn’t shed an ounce of his unsavory nature, serving as a stark reminder of why he was so terrifying for children back then.

Who knew that a clay penguin disguised as a chicken could have so much presence on screen?

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl review – Britain’s premier stop-motion heroes are better than ever in new rematch with Feathers McGraw

Despite his wicked personality, Feathers remains hilarious and steals the show, delivering many of the movie’s funniest moments. One of his disguises in particular was so amusing it nearly caused me to choke on my tea, an offense that not even Wallace would tolerate.

In a playful and slightly strange manner, Norbot the Gnome walks this fine line too, blending silliness with genuine frightening moments. Yet, Vengeance Most Fowl remains appropriate for children, ensuring no nighttime disturbances like sleepless nights on Boxing Day. Instead, expect tears from your kids, but these will be joyful tears of laughter, so don’t fret.

In a Wallace & Gromit escapade, you can count on more than just chuckles – the thrilling action usually outshines even big-budget Hollywood films, and “Vengeance Most Fowl” follows suit with its adrenaline-pumping scenes.

Massive blasts, pulse-pounding pursuits, and side-splitting physical comedy are all on display, living up to the high standards you’d anticipate from an established series that continues to rule the roost. It’s hard to imagine anyone else but Tom Cruise delivering such stellar performances.

Regardless of its grand, cinematic flair, Wallace & Gromit manages to retain the subtle, distinctive elements that make it unique. The climax itself occurs near the Yorkshire border, and the narrative consistently underscores its northern origin through Vengeance Most Fowl, preserving its regional authenticity which is scarcely found in this industry dominated by London-centric perspectives.

Aardman Animations refuses to compromise for American audiences as well. Instead, they seamlessly tap into the humor influenced by Ealing comedies and Dandy and Beano comics, which have played a significant role in making Wallace & Gromit a cherished and lasting symbol of British culture.

Beyond relying solely on nostalgia, Yet Vengeance Most Fowl cleverly tackles contemporary issues regarding artificial intelligence, as evidenced by the addition of Norbot to the Wallace & Gromit storyline.

The movie manages to convey its message subtly, avoiding any overt preaching. It’s quite fitting actually, given that the main character is an inventor who heavily depends on technology, mirroring the filmmakers’ use of innovative animation methods.

After such a lengthy development period for Vengeance Most Fowl, it’s clear evidence of the forward-thinking nature of the Wallace & Gromit creative team.

Following these events, it remains uncertain what’s in store for Wallace & Gromit (and stop-motion animation in general). However, if the next movie is just as exceptional as “Vengeance Most Fowl,” then their future looks promising, making the wait all the more worthwhile.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas.

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2024-10-28 02:04