Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

Oct 17, 2005 00:56




Wallace: Peter Sallis
Lady Tottington: Helena Bonham Carter
Victor Quartermaine: Ralph Fiennes
Rev. Hedges: Nicholas Smith
PC Mackintosh: Peter Kay

Dreamworks Animation presents a film directed by Nick Park and Steve Box. Written by Park, Box, Bob Baker, and Mark Burton.
Running Time: 85 minutes
Rated G

Release Date: October 7, 2005
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2005

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There have been quite a few advancements made in animation over the course of the last sixteen years, in case you hadn't noticed. If we keep moving these advancements at such a rapid rate, in another sixteen years we may not be able to even tell the difference between real and animated.

Pixar have been the front runners of animation ever since their 1995 classic Toy Story, and with good reason. But Nick Park hasn't changed a thing since he introduced us to Wallace & Gromit in his 1989 short A Grand Day Out. And, if The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is any indication, he shouldn't be changing any time soon.

For those of you who haven't seen the original three Wallace & Gromit shorts (two of them Oscar winners) a million times such as I have - Wallace is a bumbling English inventor with an unhealthy obsession with cheese and Gromit is his faithful dog who makes sure that Wallace's shortcomings don't (quite literally) blow up in his face.

The latest, and first full-length, adventure of the lovable English duo sees them as the propieters of Anti-Pesto. The biggest event of the year in their quaint little town is the Giant Vegetable Fete, with the prestigious "Golden Carrot" going to the grower of the most impressive vegetable. The goal of Anti-Pesto is to stop the recent rabbit infestation from getting to the various vegetables of the towns people - including Gromit and the watermelon he plans on entering. Of course, this is all done humanely as the animals take sanctuary in the home of Wallace & Gromit and are fed vegetables every day. This pleases the animal-loving Lady Tottington, and Wallace is more than happy to please her.

Not pleased is the toupee-wearing suitor and hunter, Lord Quartermaine. He is after the affections (and estate) of "Totty", and wants to cast Wallace aside. Of course, everyone's problem is that, just days before the competition, the dreaded Were-Rabbit makes his presence felt and threatens vegetable gardens statewide! (This may or may not have been caused by Wallace's clumsiness ... Gromit can't stop him 24/7).

Along the way we are treated to just about every different film genre type imaginable. Action/Adventure? Check. Romance? A little. Horror? Check. Comedy? You bet. Parody? A load of it. This truly may be the defining "all ages" film that kids as well as parents can love. And the older crowd can snicker at the over-the-kids-heads jokes (like Wallace wearing a box that says "May Contain Nuts").

And it's that kind of attention to detail that has made all of Park's work - including the critically-acclaimed 2000 hit Chicken Run - so universally beloved. Five years of work has gone into producing this film, and there's not one frame that isn't filled with joy and exhuberance from the very clay, and yet very lifelike, cast. Funny how without ever saying a word, a clay dog conveys more emotion than 99% of the actors in Hollywood today.

So many cookie-cutters have been plaguing theaters as of late, sending box office receipts plummeting. Not to say all of those movies are bad, but any of them were packaged with half the care and affection that The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is, we might be looking at a happier Hollywood. I really don't think I can praise this film enough.

**** (out of ****)

helena_bonham_carter, animated, movies, ralph_fiennes, best_animated_movie

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