|
Movie Review - Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
|
|
|
|
|
(What this rating means)
|
|
| |
|
| Director: |
Steve Box and Nick Park |
| Starring: |
the voices of Peter Sallis, Ralph Fiennes, and Helena Bonham Carter |
| Rated: |
G |
| Length: |
85 minutes |
| Genre: |
Animation/Family/Comedy |
| Tagline: |
Something wicked this way hops. |
| Studio: |
DreamWorks |
| Website: |
Wallace and Gromit |
| Release: |
October 7, 2005 |
|
PLOT
|
Wallace the cheese lover and his faithful dog, Gromit, have quite the task on their little clay hands (and paws).
The annual Giant Vegetable Competition is approaching, and W & G are makin' some sweet, sweet cash with their
pest-control business, Anti-Pesto, by humanely dispatching of those ultimate vegetable destroying machines -
rabbits.
Things are kicked up a notch when a huge, mysterious beast begins devouring all of the town's prized vegetables
late at night. The competition's hostess, Lady Tottington (Carter), calls on Anti-Pesto to save the day.
However, the pretentious Victor Quartermaine has his eyes on Tottington (and on being the town hero) so he goes
about disposing of the Were-rabbit in his own way. Victor knows a secret though, and because of that his real
intent could have dire consequences for Tottington and W & G. British clay animation ensues.
|
|
JOHNNY'S TAKE
|
What-ho! This one is jolly good. I say jolly good, ol' chap. Or should I say "ol' bean"? My mastery of
British terminology is a little dusty. Anyway, my biker boots and I walked into this screening with no prior
viewing experience of Wallace and Gromit. I'm happy to say that my boots and I walked out pleased to have
made their acquaintance.
While not as adult-accessible as Toy Story, W & G still manages to be clever enough to provide the grown ups
with a little humor that will most definitely soar over the heads of the young 'uns who are too busy guffawing
at the Were-rabbit's belches to have any clue that something is amiss. I highly suggest that you pay close
attention any time you see books or words on the screen because there are quick glimpses of puns that you'll miss
if you aren't paying attention. My favorite is a book of monsters that refers to the Loch Ness Monster as
"tourist trappus."
If you've ever been known to say, "I can really relate to Kevin Federline," or if you're just illiterate then not
only will you miss out on these jokes, but you probably should be spending your time learning to read instead of
going to movies. Consider this a public service announcement.
The most impressive aspect about W & G is its clay animation. Thanks to the tedious process, it took FIVE YEARS
to finish the film! According to the press notes, there were some days when the optimum goal was to merely
accomplish 10 seconds of completed film. Folks, I sometimes have trouble finding the motivation to finish
responding to a handful of emails or adding captions to pictures for my reviews (a point that is proven by a
lack of pictures in this review); so I can't even imagine having the required patience for that.
I really like the rough, hands-on quality of the claymation figures. The fact that you can see fingerprints in
the clay is a nice, personal touch. How can you not be impressed with clay characters that show more
expression and emotion than Paul Walker and Keanu Reeves combined?
The Curse of the Were-rabbit is, as director Nick Park calls it, the world's first vegetarian horror movie
that should entertain both kids and adults alike. Relying on (and as a male who prides himself in his shaggy-haired,
cool-bearded masculinity I hesitate to use this word) cute and (oh man, I probably shouldn't use this word either)
lovable characters rather than outdated M.C. Hammer references, W & G is proof that DreamWorks can create
entertaining animation when it chooses cleverness over the cheap joke.
|
|
ODDS & ENDS
|
- Budget: $30,000,000
- The first W & G film, A Grand Day Out, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Short.
- The second and third W & G films, The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave, both won Oscars for
Best Animated Short.
- This is the second collaboration between DreamWorks Animation and Aardman Features. They previously teamed on
Chicken Run.
- Director Steve Box said, "Making an 85-minute (W & G) feature is like making the Great Wall of China with
matchsticks." It took five years of solid work.
- Since there are 24 frames per second of film time, it is possible to have 24 different poses to shoot per
character for every second in a scene. Each pose must take into account the smallest possible movement for
body, head, arms, legs, hands, fingers, eyes, ears, mouth, etc. It sounds like a task so arduous that it might
almost tempt a Baptist to cuss.
- Helena Bonham Carter was in Novocaine with Elias Koteas who was in Broadway's True West with
Josh Brolin who was in Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon.
|
|
MAMA'S APPROVAL
|
This one is fun and safe for the whole family. It may be a little scary for the wee tots, otherwise you shan't
worry.
|
|
TRAILER COMPARISON
|
What you see = what you get.
|
|
THE GIST
|
If you're already a fan of Wallace and Gromit then this one is a no-brainer. Otherwise, this makes for a fun
watch for kids of all ages. Or if you're just in the mood for a combination of claymation and British humor
then give this one a look.
|
|
