Clay has never looked so good. Wallace and Gromit, English man and dog stars of three acclaimed animated shorts (including two Oscar-winners) are back in their first feature length film, "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit." As expected, the film is brilliant.
In "Were-Rabbit," cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his constantly bemused dog Gromit head a security business to keep the town's fruit and vegetable gardens free of varmints. Preparing for the annual harvest festival has put villagers particularly on edge about such a threat. However, when an invention by Wallace to brainwash rabbits into hating vegetables goes awry, a giant monster rabbit is unleashed upon the village to wreak havoc. Now it's up to Wallace and Gromit to trap the creature.
Creator, director and writer Nick Park, who scored his last hit in the states with "Chicken Run," is at top form in "Wallace & Gromit." In a world where CGI has seemingly taken over animation, a film made of clay is particularly refreshing.
The film employs clever visual gags and humor any age group can enjoy. Wallace's contraptions are always fascinatingly inventive, from his vacuum pump for rabbit holes to the bed that drops him into his kitchen chair for breakfast every morning. And unlike the many G-rated movies that rely on groaner jokes like characters saying the word "butt" or farting at inopportune times, the comedy of "Wallace & Gromit" is smart enough for adults to enjoy as well.
Gromit, who never opens his mouth, even to bark, is astonishingly expressive. Much of the film's humor comes from his reactions to the events going on around him. While Wallace is constantly yapping away, Gromit rolls his eyes, shakes his head and does some knitting to pass the time.
For the characters who do talk, the voice work is spot on. Peter Sallis, Wallace's voice since the very first short, has the perfect British accent. Just hearing the man say "cheese" is enjoyable. Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter also star, and their voices naturally fit their characters. The villagers are hilarious, constantly panicking and acting without forethought.
If the film has any fault it is that the plot is somewhat predictable. The mystery of who exactly this were-rabbit is becomes obvious a long time before the big revelation. Still, because "Wallace & Gromit" is such a fun world for the viewer to get involved in, it's easy to get past this and just enjoy the ride.
"Wallace & Gromit" enthusiasts are sure to love the duo's new adventure, and the film is sure to bring a great number of new fans into the fold as well. After the credits roll, moviegoers should head to the DVD store and check out the recently released "Wallace & Gromit in Three Amazing Adventures," which compiles the three shorts "A Grand Day Out," "The Wrong Trousers" and "A Close Shave," with 10 mini-shorts never before seen in America.
Whether one is going to the theater with a child, friend or parent, "Curse of the Were-Rabbit" is well worth the price of admission.
