In their latest adventure, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, Gromit’s concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified after he invents a “smart” gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own. A vengeful figure from the past returns and it falls to Gromit to save his master once again.
Brimming with charm, packed with laughs, and perfectly balanced for audiences of all ages, this delightful film is another feather in Aardman’s cap, offering a heartwarming and thoroughly entertaining experience.
THE DELIGHTFUL DUO ARE BACK
No matter what story is being told, Wallace and Gromit’s strong relationship remains the emotional core of their adventures, bringing joy to all audiences, no matter their age.
The dynamic in Vengeance Most Fowl is as endearing as ever, with Gromit’s silent, expressive wisdom often contrasting hilariously with Wallace’s bumbling enthusiasm and clumsiness. It is terribly amusing that the human is the dumb one, and the dog is solving all the issues. It’s a timeless convention for the films but it works so damn well! Poor Gromit can’t catch a break, even more when Norbot makes his debut…
Norbot, voiced with sinister brilliance by Reece Shearsmith, steals the spotlight as Wallace’s latest creation gone awry. His unnerving yet humerous mannerisms and shock-inducing moments are among the film’s most memorable, including a wonderful reference to one of my favourite Doctor Who villains… The Weeping Angels.
The Northerner in me would be let down if I didn’t commend Peter Kay’s return too. I saw him live earlier this year at the AO Arena in Manchester, and boy, is it great seeing him back doing what he does!
ENTER FEATHERS MCGRAW
I was overjoyed to spot Feathers McGraw during the final moments of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. Despite his appearances in earlier Aardman productions, this cameo gave me a strong feeling that he was destined for a villainous, vengeful return—and here we are!
Having recently revisited The Wrong Trousers, I found myself appreciating how many clever parallels and nods to Feathers’ original outing were placed throughout Vengeance Most Fowl. This time, however, his scheme is far more devious, and when paired with Wallace’s clumsiness, it just creates a brilliant mix of tension and humour.
Once again, we’re treated to those hilariously sweat-inducing moments, last seen in The Wrong Trousers as Feathers executes his plans with his signature unsettled menace.
Anyone who is a regular film fan will be pleased to know there are some little nods to other pieces of work, including a brilliant reference to Jurassic Park and the seen with the Raptor DNA projection, as well as some callbacks to many of Feather’s various disguises over the years.
BALFE AND NOTT DELIVER
Lorne Balfe and Julian Nott’s score truly shines in key moments, especially when building the suspenseful and menacing atmosphere surrounding Feathers McGraw. Nott is no stranger to the franchise, having provided the score for a majority of the Wallace & Gromit series.
The music perfectly captures the energetic atmosphere of the film, especially when present in Feathers’ sequences – adding a real sense of danger to his presence. It’s a fantastic step-up from previous adventures.
AARDMAN HAS NEVER FELT MORE ALIVE
The level of quality in Aardman’s work now is absolutely stunning, this new film, alongside the studio’s last feature, showcases just how far the studio has come in its craftsmanship.
With their latest feature, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, the meticulous attention to detail has reached new heights. The characters look incredibly polished while still retaining the warmth and personality that make Aardman’s creations so beloved.
I look forward to what Aardman does next, I think we will certainly be getting a new, original story from the studio off the back of two sequels – perhaps one day we can get a sequel to The Pirates, a favourite in my household or something completely fresh and new.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The film’s release marks another milestone for the duo, and fans around the world will undoubtedly enjoy its global launch on Netflix.
However, for audiences in the UK, getting to experience Vengeance Most Fowl on Christmas Day feels particularly special. It’s a brilliant continuation of a tradition that Aardman last delighted us with in A Matter of Loaf and Death.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl feels familiar yet fresh, delivering wheels of laughter and wedges of fun proving to be an absolute delight, plus Shearsmith’s voicework is highly entertaining – another huge win for animation overall!
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl releases on Netflix on Janaury 3, and will premiere in the UK on BBC One on Christmas Day. Check out the trailer below:
Aardman’s four-time Academy Award®-winning director Nick Park and Emmy Award-nominated Merlin Crossingham return with a brand new epic adventure, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. In this next installment, Gromit’s concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified, when Wallace invents a “smart” gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own. When it emerges that a vengeful figure from the past might be masterminding things, it falls to Gromit to battle sinister forces and save his master… or Wallace may never be able to invent again!
