This Christmas, the BBC is treating us to something special: the first new Wallace and Gromit film in 16 years. It has all the classic elements: Nick Park as co-director, a prominent role for the Pontcysyllte aqueduct, and of course, cheese. Before its television debut on 25 December, the new film will premiere at the American Film Institute festival in Los Angeles, most likely in preparation for an Oscar run next year.
However, there may be another reason for this early premiere. A Halloween debut would seem more fitting than a Christmas one, considering that Wallace and Gromit has always had surprisingly frightening elements. Films like The Wrong Trousers had a classic noir feel, with dark angles and shadows. The Curse of the Were-Rabbit featured brainwashing and a giant vampiric bunny. In A Matter of Loaf and Death, Wallace was pursued by a serial killer, and in A Close Shave, he narrowly escaped being minced.
Brimful of an unfathomable evil … Feathers McGraw. Photograph: Aardman Animations/PA
Their latest adventure raises the stakes even further by bringing back one of cinema’s most sinister villains: Feathers McGraw, the penguin who used Wallace’s robotic trousers in The Wrong Trousers to commit a jewel heist. Feathers, with his dead-eyed expression and aura of evil, had been imprisoned in a zoo following his crimes. He now plans his escape and revenge by hacking Wallace’s latest invention, Norbot, a robot gnome obsessed with gardening and cleaning.
The beginning of Vengeance Most Fowl may feel a bit slow. With a runtime of 79 minutes, the pacing of the jokes may seem a bit off, and the exposition slightly sluggish. The two bumbling police officers, voiced by Peter Kay and Lauren Patel, may come across as too comical for some viewers. However, once the eerie Norbot (voiced by Reece Shearsmith) comes to life, the film picks up pace and takes us on a familiar yet enjoyable journey. We see Wallace’s blind faith in technology, his neglect of loyal Gromit in favor of a demanding newcomer, and the duo being falsely accused of a crime they must solve to clear their names.
Wallace and Gromit prepare for action. Photograph: Aardman Animations/Richard Davies/PA
There is comfort and joy in the familiar routines and attention to detail. From the smudges on objects to the more whimsical moments like Norbot’s ecstatic battery recharge, the film offers both subtle and bold touches. Feathers scrolling through Norbot’s personality traits like “Grumpy…boorish…bit selfish,” the hilarious bagpipe scene, and the clever nun joke all add to the charm. Additionally, the film includes sharp satire on police incompetence.
Modern children’s animation often includes themes of skepticism towards technology, and Wallace and Gromit are ahead in addressing this. However, compared to recent animated masterpieces like WALL-E and The Mitchells vs the Machines, some aspects of Vengeance Most Fowl may feel outdated when it comes to humans relying on machines. The setting of post-war West Wallaby Street, while nostalgic, may also feel a bit old-fashioned.
While not reaching the top tier of Aardman productions, Vengeance Most Fowl still delivers an entertaining experience. There may be a bit too much dialogue, and some viewers might tire of the verbose exchanges, even with Ben Whitehead’s excellent portrayal of Peter Sallis. Interestingly, the most captivating character remains Feathers, who communicates silently and enigmatically. Ultimately, what stays with the audience are Feathers’ menacing gaze, rather than Wallace’s puns. As seen in the silent masterpiece Shaun the Sheep the Movie, sometimes actions speak louder than words.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl will premiere at the AFI festival in Los Angeles on 29 October, air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this Christmas in the UK, and be available on Netflix worldwide (excluding the UK) on 3 January.
This article was corrected on 28 October 2024 to fix the misspelling of Reece Shearsmith’s first name.