For over a decade, the beloved franchise Wallace & Gromit has been absent from the screen. The last short film, A Matter of Loaf and Death, was released 16 years ago, and the first feature film, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, came out 19 years prior, a film that went on to win an Academy Award. This hiatus has left many longing for the return of two of Britain’s most cherished characters.
The dry spell has finally come to an end with the introduction of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, a new production from Aardman Animations in collaboration with Netflix. This latest installment reunites audiences with the iconic Claymation duo, offering a nostalgic return akin to indulging in a comforting cheese platter.
Directed by Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, Vengeance Most Fowl features the return of Feathers McGraw. This cunning penguin, known for his criminal activities in the 1993 film The Wrong Trousers, attempts revenge after his previous incarceration facilitated by the cheese-loving inventor Wallace, voiced by Ben Whitehead, and his loyal dog, Gromit. Wallace, who resides at 62 West Wallaby Street, continues to invent new gadgets, including a smart gnome named Norbot, voiced by Reece Shearsmith. Gromit grows increasingly concerned over Wallace’s dependence on his inventions, with Norbot becoming the final straw due to its disruption of Gromit’s meticulously maintained garden and apparent usurpation as Wallace’s primary assistant.
The plot takes a darker turn when Feathers McGraw exploits Norbot, leading to complications involving disgruntled Norbot customers and suspicious authorities. Gromit ultimately must step up to thwart Feathers’ plans. The narrative cleverly parallels contemporary anxieties surrounding artificial intelligence, particularly the concern of technology replacing artists, emphasizing the timeless themes of human connection and creativity.
Despite not reaching the acclaim of The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, largely due to thematic similarities to The Wrong Trousers instead of presenting a new story, Vengeance Most Fowl remains a delightful and playful experience. It thrives on humor, with entertaining elements such as puns and a cheese-themed captcha, alongside inventive set pieces featuring objects like boats and office chairs.
The dynamic between Wallace and Gromit retains its charm, with Gromit often found cleaning up after Wallace’s oblivious blunders. New and returning characters also enrich the story. Feathers McGraw continues to be a formidable antagonist, and the reappearance of Chief Inspector Mackintosh, voiced by Peter Kay, provides comedic relief with his ineptitude, complemented by PC Mukherjee, voiced by Lauren Patel, who stands out as a notably competent police officer.
Norbot plays a crucial role in the film, exemplifying its thematic concerns about the risks of technological advancements over human artistry and interaction. His disruptive influence on Gromit’s garden symbolizes the larger debate about AI and its impact on artistic endeavor, a subject further illustrated by the labor-intensive process of creating Claymation films like Wallace & Gromit. Vengeance Most Fowl highlights the unparalleled value of hand-crafted animation, where years of meticulous effort culminate in rich, textured storytelling and artistry.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on January 3.