WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL (2024, animated)

December 28, 2024

Greetings again from the darkness. They’re back! The last ‘Wallace & Gromit’ short film was in 2018, and their last feature-length film, WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT, was released in 2005. Creator Nick Park is back as co-writer and co-director with fellow W&G collaborators Mark Burton and Merlin Crossingham, respectively. This creative consistency is crucial to the franchise success, and helps overcome the 2017 passing of Peter Sallis, longtime voice of Wallace.

Ben Whitehead fits seamlessly as the voice of Wallace, the master inventor of contraptions and gadgets – gadgets that sometimes make simple tasks a bit more complicated, though quite entertaining. Wallace’s loyal, observant, and intelligent pet beagle is Gromit – a non-speaking pooch who emotes through eyes and body language, often expressing annoyance, frustration, or concern. If you’ve seen the films, the shorts, or the TV series, you are familiar with the set-up, though this one takes on somewhat of an ominous tone early on.

When the story begins, Wallace is an esteemed local hero having contributed to the capture of the Blue Diamond Thief. It turns out the thief is none other than Feathers McGraw, the dastardly penguin of the 1993 short film, WALLACE & GROMIT: THE WRONG TROUSERS. Wallace introduces us to his newest and most contemporary invention: Norbot (Reece Shearsmith), a ‘smart’ garden gnome programmed to help with chores around the house. In an obvious swipe at Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), the wily penguin hacks into Norbot from the confines of his (zoo) cell, setting off an army of robotic gnomes. His plan is to gain revenge on Wallace.

As a viewer, I find so much joy in the creativity on display. In fact, the storytelling and character development is superior to much of what passes for movies these days, and I found myself purely satisfied with the entertainment value and the comedic elements that generated welcome laughter. Peter Kay is back to voice now Chief Inspector Mackintosh, the frazzled leader, while Lauren Patel voices PC Mukherjee, the officer with good instincts. The stop-motion animation visuals are better than ever (especially in the action sequences), and it’s a pleasure to find an entertaining film for all ages (even if it slyly sneaks in a message here and there). The franchise dates back to the first short film in 1989 and if you are unfamiliar, I recommend getting to know Wallace & Gromit.

Opens in theaters on January 3, 2025

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Posted by David Ferguson

IN THE EARTH (2021)

April 29, 2021

Greetings again from the darkness. Have you ever wondered why they warned concert attendees to stay away from the brown acid at Woodstock? I can only speculate, but I assume the poor souls who consumed the taboo drug experienced hallucinations not dissimilar to watching this latest from writer-director Ben Wheatley. Filmmaker Wheatley previously delivered such interesting and diverse fare as the intriguing horror film KILL LIST (2011), the confusing and bizarre HIGH-RISE (2015), and my personal favorite of his, the quite funny and action-packed FREE FIRE (2016).

Martin Lowery (Joel Fry, YESTERDAY, 2019) is sent to track down a doctor whose research may provide desperately needed help in fighting a virus that has wreaked havoc on the human race. Martin himself has been in isolation for four months prior to this mission. He teams up with Alma (Ellora Torchia, MIDSOMMAR, 2019), a Park Ranger who works out of a Lodge that has been closed for a year due to the pandemic. She will act as his guide on the 2 day hike through the dense forest to find the doctor.

As you would expect, the hike doesn’t go smoothly, and things turn very weird and dangerous when Martin and Alma cross paths with Zach (Reece Shearsmith, HIGH-RISE, 2015). He’s the ex-husband of Dr. Wendle, the one Martin and Alma are in search of. However, Zach is off the grid and off his (proverbial) rocker. He converses with the forest, which might possibly be his most normal action.

Dr. Olivia Wendle (Hayley Squires, I, DANIEL BLAKE) is finally located, and though she and Martin know each other, she seems quite intent on finishing her research in the forest. Back at the Lodge, Alma had filled Martin in on a local folk tale … the Spirit of the Woods, named Parnag. Most just call it, “the thing in the woods.” Are we to believe nature is evil, or is nature just fighting back against humans?

Written by Wheatley last year, the film shows the effects of a pandemic on some people and how trying to solve things through science may fall short. Paranoia, distrust, dread, and isolation from others are all at play here – and quite in line with our current state. A supernatural element hovers, but the psychedelic images keep us disoriented, and seem to exist for the sole purpose of visual effects. The strobes are so strong they could trigger responses from sensitive viewers, and if they don’t, the gore likely will. Cinematographer Nick Gillespie and composer Clint Mansell are standouts here, and though Wheatley is to be commended for his quick work, the film didn’t really click for me. Perhaps the two best comparisons are THE HAPPENING (2008) and the far superior ANNIHILATION (2018).

In theaters April 30, 2021

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Leave a Comment » | Horror, Thriller | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson