Why WALLACE & GROMIT Filmmakers Are Hooked on Stop-Motion
By Movieguide® Contributor
Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, the men behind the new WALLACE & GROMIT movie, explained why, as technology becomes more integrated into the entertainment industry, they remain committed to stop-motion.
“There’s an element of human touch. From the time the animator starts the scene until they get to the end, that’s it. It’s a one-hit process, which is very, very pressurizing to get right the first time,” Crossingham told The Hollywood Reporter. “I think there’s something in that which makes it quite alive. Because no matter how much preparation you do, even with your best animators, you never quite know what you’re going to get.”
Critics and audiences both agree that there is something special about this human touch. This has helped the series remain incredibly popular worldwide for over 30 years. While advancements in distribution have allowed WALLACE & GROMIT to reach new audiences faster than ever, the characters — and the wit that comes with them — remains the same. Their newest adventure, VENGEANCE MOST FOWL, even features the series’ first villain.
“It started off as a 30-minutes WALLACE & GROMIT for TV,” Park said about the new movie. “It was about Wallace inventing a smart gnome to help Gromit in the garden. And that had loads of comedy potential, but it was always lacking that sinister element that WALLACE & GROMIT films have. Who’s behind it?”
“[Feathers McGraw] really unlocked everything,” Crossingham added. “It seems very obvious now, but he was clearly the right character to fit the story.”
“He has a personal vendetta against Wallace and Gromit,” Park added.
Movieguide® praised VENGEANCE MOST FOWL’s “Very moral worldview with love triumphing over evil,” giving it a +1 content rating.
WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL combines many classic detective story elements in a very funny, entertaining way. A chase scene seems adapted from the last MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movie. Other elements resemble the GET SMART television series, Agatha Christie and other wonderful crime stories. There’s no crude content. The violence is comical cartoon slapstick violence and pretty funny. WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL is too scary for younger children. However, it has a strong moral worldview. Love triumphs over evil. Also, the pitfalls and advantages of technology are handled in an inspired, hilarious manner.
READ MORE: WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL REVIEW
“I think that one of the strengths of Wallace and Gromit [is] that they’re from a time gone by, and we’re using ‘technology’ in their own their terms, but like you say really, looking at very contemporary issues in a light-hearted way,” Crossingham told Deadline.
The return of WALLACE & GROMIT has met exceptional success, with the movie now nominated for an Academy Award. After debuting on the BBC on Christmas Day, WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL is now available for all audiences on Netflix.
READ MORE: NEW WALLACE & GROMIT ARRIVING ON NETFLIX NEXT YEAR
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