Wallace & Gromit: A Christmas Reunion with a Twist
Thirty-five years after their debut in A Grand Day Out, Wallace & Gromit remain beloved icons, instantly recognizable and deeply charming. Their infrequent appearances only heighten the anticipation surrounding each new project. This Christmas, the duo returned with Vengeance Most Fowl, a special that, while not quite reaching the heights of classics like The Wrong Trousers or A Close Shave, still delivers plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments. This isn't a feature film, but instead a slightly longer-than-usual short, clocking in at just over an hour. This almost seems to mean it failed to find its ideal format, but we can consider it a success.
The Return of a Classic Formula
Vengeance Most Fowl sees the pair maintain their perfectly balanced dynamic: Wallace, scatterbrained and enthusiastic, and Gromit, patient and long-suffering. The story is a delightful blend of their familiar charm, featuring plenty of puns and sight gags in every frame. However, the storyline introduces a bit of a new thematic concern. The film cleverly explores the changing relationship between humans and technology. Wallace's new invention, Norbot, a “smart gnome” that acts as a sentient Alexa, replaces the charm of simple human effort. This isn’t a new concept—it echoes similar themes explored in other works like The Wild Robot—but it feels surprisingly poignant within the familiar context of a Wallace & Gromit adventure. The creators remain true to their traditional stop-motion animation technique, choosing the painstaking process of incremental manipulation over the easier route of CGI. The attention to detail and time-consuming nature make the final product beautifully tangible.
A Touch of Self-Awareness
The film also has a happy self-aware quality. While Wallace's Heath Robinson-style gadgets are as funny as ever, there’s a subtle hint of weariness to them this time. The over-reliance on technology is a central theme. The creation of a voice-activated virtual assistant for a mute dog is a hilariously passive-aggressive feat. The humor comes from the very absurdity of it all.
The Menacing Return of Feathers McGraw
Perhaps the most significant element of Vengeance Most Fowl is the return of Feathers McGraw, the inscrutable penguin villain from The Wrong Trousers. Arguably Nick Park's best creation, McGraw is more menacing than ever, plotting his revenge from a maximum-security zoo. He’s a figure of pure menace, reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter but with undeniable cuteness. The animators' ability to convey so much expression through a character that is essentially a beer bottle with flippers is astonishing, especially a particular shrug McGraw does which is extraordinary. He is a delight to watch.
A Few Shortcomings
Despite its strengths, Vengeance Most Fowl isn’t flawless. The extended runtime results in a less joke-dense story compared to previous shorts. The increased dialogue slightly diminishes the pair’s easy international appeal, as their previous success often stemmed from spare dialogue. This is a shame. Also, certain elements, such as the reliance on AI-related plot lines, are not quite as fresh and original as other elements of the production.
A Thrilling Conclusion
However, Wallace & Gromit always delivers a captivating third act. The film culminates in a chaotic and hilarious climax, a berserk narrowboat chase filled with wild handbrake turns, huge explosions, and a stunt that's straight out of Mission: Impossible. This unforgettable sequence serves as a reminder that Wallace and Gromit is a flawless production, which is to say, even its slightly imperfect productions remain among the best. At this stage, Wallace and Gromit are legendary. Even when slightly off-pace, they’re the perfect Christmas companions. The enduring appeal of Wallace & Gromit lies not only in the technical brilliance of the stop-motion animation but also in the perfectly balanced blend of humor, heart, and a touch of modern social commentary. Despite some minor shortcomings, Vengeance Most Fowl is a welcome addition to the franchise, reminding us why these characters remain so beloved after all these years. The film aired on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.
