Stars of short and feature films, series and web series as well, the inventor Wallace and his faithful dog, Gromit, occupy a special place in the world of volume animation. Created by Nick Park, the duo has since known A Grand Day Out (A great excursion), in 1989, many adventures. Often full of cinematic references, these adventures borrow from Hitchcock, film noir or retro horror cinema: see Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Wallace et Gromit. Le mystère du lapin-garou), in 2005. Since A Matter of Loaf and Death (Holy mess), in 2008, that we had not seen the two oddballs again… In time for the Holidays, here comes Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (Wallace and Gromit. The Palm of Vengeance).
Charming and resolutely nostalgic, a component inherent to the universe previously imagined by Nick Park, Vengeance Most Fowl begins with a reminder of the facts that occurred in The Wrong Trousers (Bad pants), Oscar-winning short film. For the record, Wallace and especially Gromit foiled the plans of the “supervillain” Feathers McGraw, a terrifying penguin with black marbles for eyes, and displaying a perpetually impassive look.
Years after Feathers was incarcerated in a zoo (shots of tributes to Cape Fear/Nerves on edgeby Martin Scorsese), Wallace continued to multiply his inventions, but in doing so became dangerously dependent on technology (message). As usual, Gromit watches over his master more than his master watches over him.
However, when Wallace unveils his most recent innovation, Norbot, a “all-purpose garden gnome”, Feathers decides to hack the robot. Equipped with artificial intelligence whose power obviously escapes its inventor, Norbot thus passes from “helpful” mode to “malicious” mode.
And as usual, Gromit is the only one to see the danger that awaits Wallace. Wallace, who, as happened in the past, will be accused of crimes he did not commit. Which, in turn, will deprive it of the precious inventions without which it now struggles to function (message, take two).
Comfort zone
Full of references to the James Bonds of yesteryear and the first (and never surpassed) Mission: Impossibleby Brian De Palma, the sequel brings together all the ingredients that contributed to the past success of the series, all formats combined.
The negative corollary is an impression of perhaps excessive familiarity, of a somewhat stagnant “comfort zone”. In fairness, though, we don’t watch Wallace and Gromit in the hope that Nick Park and his collaborators (here, co-director Merlin Crossingham and screenwriter Mark Burton) will reinvent formulas and characters.
In this regard, the previous feature film The Curse of the Were-Rabbit was more unbridled and, therefore, more memorable. However, as it stands, Vengeance Most Fowl turns out to be fun, tasty and, at less than an hour and twenty minutes, without any fuss.
To watch on video
Movies
Canada
