A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Date Viewed: 10/9/05

Details:

Voice talent: Peter Sallis (Wallace)

Ralph Fiennes (Victor Quartermaine)

Helena Bonham Carter (Lady Campanula Tottington)

Directors: Steve Box and Nick Park

Score: +

The Review: As usual, it's the dog Gromit who figures out what's really going on in this feature-length claymation parody of a Halloween fright flick, with Wallace and Gromit's inimitable style and Nick Parks' wit. This time out, inventor Wallace and trusty companion Gromit are proprietors of a garden protectorate -- veggie police, one might say. They've been hired to protect the local crop from predatory rabbits, in anticipation of the upcoming "large vegetable contest" held at the nearby estate of Lady Tottington. But, as with all scary movies, the protectors don't follow all the rules, and terror stalks the neighborhood.

Filled with sight gags, slightly askew movie snippets, and puns numerous -- visual, aural and literary -- all work together to imply value coming from watching The Curse many times; the first time through was loads of fun. Everything -- from middle-age spread, watch-gnomes, bunnies going to the light, melons, the Plan(e)ts, license plates, King Kong, to nuts -- is grist for the mill. A visual treat.

Distinctly English score with selections from Holst and Elgar.

However, I cannot give unqualified praise, in part because my eyes kept trying to close at several slow points in the plot. But this is more than balanced by all the goings-on.

A special treat starts the venue, a bit of a double-feature, with a short, vaguely seasonal, cartoon starring the psychotic penguins from Madagascar.

(17-Oct-05)

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