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Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

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Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Official Netflix release poster
Directed by
Screenplay byMark Burton
Story by
  • Nick Park
  • Mark Burton
Based onWallace & Gromit
by Nick Park
Produced byRichard Beek
Starring
Music byLorne Balfe (score)
Julian Nott (themes)
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • BBC (United Kingdom)
  • Netflix (worldwide)
Release dates
  • 27 October 2024 (2024-10-27) (AFI)
  • 25 December 2024 (2024-12-25) (BBC)
  • 3 January 2025 (2025-01-03) (Netflix)
Running time
79 minutes[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is a 2024 British stop motion animated comedy film produced by Aardman Animations and the BBC in association with Netflix, and directed by Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. It is the sixth Wallace & Gromit film and the second feature-length film after The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005). It features the return of the villain penguin Feathers McGraw from The Wrong Trousers (1993), who takes revenge on Wallace and Gromit by reprogramming Wallace's robotic garden gnome.

Vengeance Most Fowl premiered at the American Film Institute on 27 October 2024. It was broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 25 December 2024 in the UK, becoming the second-most-watched UK broadcast since 2022. It will become available on Netflix internationally on 3 January 2025.[2][3][4] The film received acclaim, with a 100% rating on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.

Plot

[edit]

Wallace invents a robotic garden gnome, Norbot, and creates a business hiring out Norbot to work in people's gardens. His dog, Gromit, feels left out and is concerned by Wallace's reliance on technology. Annoyed at Norbot's loud recharging at night, Gromit takes Norbot to the basement and plugs him into a computer to charge.

Feathers McGraw, a penguin apprehended by Wallace and Gromit after stealing the Blue Diamond from the city museum, is imprisoned in a zoo.[a] When he hears about Norbot on television, he hacks into Wallace's computer and re-programmes Norbot to serve him and create an army of gnomes. While working at homes around the city, the gnomes steal several objects. Chief Inspector Albert Mackintosh and his new recruit, PC Mukherjee, conclude that Wallace is responsible for the thefts and confiscate most of his inventions, but do not find the gnomes.

Gromit reclaims Wallace's gnome-tracking device from the police station and tracks the gnomes to the zoo, where he discovers that they have used the stolen objects to build a submarine for Feathers to escape via the sewer network. Feathers spots Gromit and has Norbot cut him from the tree he is hiding in. Both Gromit and Norbot fall to the ground, and the impact resets Norbot to its original settings.

Gromit goes to the museum where the diamond is being put back on display, but it has been swapped with a turnip - Feathers McGraw hid the real diamond in Wallace's old teapot when he was caught. Gromit returns home, but he and Wallace are captured by the gnomes. Feathers recovers the diamond from the teapot and locks Wallace and Gromit in the closet.

Wallace and Gromit use a leaf blower to escape with Norbot and pursue Feathers down a canal on narrowboats while Mackintosh and Mukherjee chase them on a bicycle. Wallace invents a machine that launches Wellington boots at the gnomes, resetting them. Gromit jumps aboard Feathers' narrowboat, but when Feathers sees that the police have blocked the canal, he steers the boat off an aqueduct. With the boat teetering over the edge, Gromit is convinced by Wallace to surrender the bag containing the diamond to Feathers. Feathers jumps off the narrowboat, which falls to the ground, but Gromit is rescued by Norbot and the other gnomes.

Feathers escapes into Yorkshire on a train, but Gromit switched the diamond again and Feathers is left with the turnip. Mackintosh praises Mukherjee for trusting her instincts and retires from the force. Wallace returns to inventing, while admitting that machines cannot replace the human touch, and Gromit accepts Norbot into their home.

Voice cast

[edit]
See also: List of Wallace & Gromit characters

Appearing silent are Gromit, Wallace's brave and highly intelligent pet beagle and best friend, and Feathers McGraw, a penguin and criminal mastermind.[9] The Farmer from spin-off series Shaun the Sheep makes a brief cameo appearance, voiced by John Sparkes.[citation needed]

Additionally, Adjoa Andoh and Lenny Henry have cameo roles as The Judge and Mr. Convenience. Muzz Khan voices a character named Anton Deck, after the famous English TV duo Ant & Dec.[10]

Production

[edit]

During production of the A Matter of Loaf and Death (2008), Nick Park remarked publicly on difficulties with working with DreamWorks Animation during the production of Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005), such as the constant production notes and demands to alter the material to appeal more to American children.[11][12] This discouraged him from producing another feature film for years, with Peter Lord noting that Park preferred the "half hour format".[13]

A new Wallace & Gromit film was announced in January 2022, with Park and Merlin Crossingham as directors, from a screenplay by Mark Burton, while Claire Jennings was announced to produce.[14][15]

The factory that made Lewis Newplast, the modelling clay used by Aardman, shut down in March 2023; Aardman purchased enough remaining clay to cover the new Wallace & Gromit film.[16] The Daily Telegraph initially reported that the studio may not be able to produce new films afterwards due to a lack of clay, but Aardman later released a statement clarifying that it would find a new supplier.[17][18]

The film's title was confirmed to be Vengeance Most Fowl on 6 June 2024, alongside the reveal that Feathers McGraw, the antagonist of Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (1993), would return. At that time, Richard Beek was announced to have replaced Claire Jennings as the producer.[19]

Music

[edit]

The score was composed by Lorne Balfe, with themes by longtime series composer Julian Nott. Balfe previously provided additional music for Nott's score in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005).[20] Born Free by Matt Monro is also briefly in the film played by Feathers McGraw during the escape scene.

Release

[edit]

Vengeance Most Fowl premiered worldwide on the closing day of the AFI Fest on 27 October at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, with a limited theatrical release set for 18 December 2024.[21] It aired in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 25 December 2024, and will be released worldwide on Netflix on 3 January 2025.[2][22][23][14][15] To promote it, the BBC commissioned three Wallace & Gromit-themed Christmas idents for BBC One, to be aired throughout the Christmas season.[24][25] Vengeance Most Fowl was viewed by 9.38 million BBC One viewers on Christmas Day. It was the second-most-watched broadcast since 2022 after the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, also broadcast that day.[26]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 68 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Comforting as cheese and crackers, with some gentle ribbing of modern technology sprinkled on top, Vengeance Most Fowl revives this lovable pair with all their charm intact."[27] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 82 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[28]

Writing in The Guardian, Stuart Heritage called it "a triumphant return". He felt the film "does end up suffering a little, in part because of an extended runtime that renders it less densely packed with jokes and invention than we've become used to. It's also a bit too talky, robbing the pair of the easy international appeal they had when their dialogue was kept spare."[29] In the Irish Independent, Vicky Jessop praised the subplot and tone.[30]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Hollywood Music in Media Awards 20 November 2024 Best Original Score – Animated Film Lorne Balfe & Julian Nott Nominated [31]
Astra Film Awards 8 December 2024 Best Animated Feature Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Nominated [32]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association 8 December 2024 Best Animated Feature Nominated [33]
San Diego Film Critics Society 9 December 2024 Best Animated Film Nominated [34]
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 11 December 2024 Best Animated Film Nominated [35]
Chicago Film Critics Association 12 December 2024 Best Animated Film Nominated [36]
St. Louis Film Critics Association 15 December 2024 Best Animated Feature Runner-up [37]
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle 15 December 2024 Best Animated Feature Nominated [38]
New York Film Critics Online 16 December 2024 Best Animation Nominated [39]
Seattle Film Critics Society 16 December 2024 Best Animated Film Nominated [40]
Golden Globe Awards 5 January 2025 Best Animated Feature Film Pending [41]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 12 January 2025 Best Animated Feature Film Pending [42]
American Cinema Editors Awards 18 January 2025 Best Edited Animated Feature Film (Theatrical or Non-Theatrical) Dan Hembery Pending [43]
Satellite Awards 26 January 2025 Best Motion Picture – Animated or Mixed Media Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Pending [44]
Alliance of Women Film Journalists TBA Best Animated Film Pending [45]
Annie Awards 8 February 2025 Best Animated Feature Pending [46]
Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects in an Animated Production Howard Jones, Rich Spence, Deborah Jane Price, Jon Biggins, Kirstie Deane Pending
Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in an Animated Feature Production Carmen Bromfield Mason Pending
Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Feature Production Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham Pending
Outstanding Achievement for Editorial in an Animated Feature Production Dan Hembery Pending
Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production Lorne Balfe, Julian Nott Pending
Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Feature Production Matt Perry, Darren Dubicki, Richard Edmunds, Matt Sanders, Gavin Lines Pending

Future

[edit]

Following the release of Vengeance Most Fowl, creator Nick Park confirmed that it would not be the end of the series. Telling the BBC, he said "[It's] certainly not the end, I think there's plenty of bounce still in their bungee. We'll carry on. There's always ideas worth kicking about. Give us a minute though, they take a while to make!"[47]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ As depicted in The Wrong Trousers (1993)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sandwell, Ian (29 August 2024). "BBC reveals first look at new Wallace & Gromit character after 14 years away". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b Evans, Greg. "First trailer for Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl sees old enemy return". The Independent. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  3. ^ McNamee, Michael Sheils (7 June 2024). "Wallace and Gromit return to face penguin nemesis". BBC News BBC. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  4. ^ Hibbs, James (6 June 2024). "Wallace & Gromit's Christmas 2024 return adds Peter Kay, Reece Shearsmith". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Wallace & Gromit return with Vengeance Most Fowl". British Comedy Guide. 6 June 2024. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024. Peter Kay will return to voice PC Mackintosh, the character who previously appeared in The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit. Mackintosh has now been promoted to Chief Inspector.
  6. ^ "BBC unveils first look at Norbot the smart gnome, coming this Christmas in Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl". BBC. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  7. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (12 October 2024). ""Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' Creators Promise Emotional Comeback: "We're Going To Make Everybody Cry And Laugh" — Contenders London". Deadline. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Review: Aardman's Beloved Duo Return With a Zippy, Gorgeously Animated Netflix Caper". The Hollywood Reporter. 27 October 2024.
  9. ^ Ritman, Alex (6 June 2024). "New 'Wallace & Gromit' Netflix Film Reveals Christmas Premiere, Title and Teaser Showing Return of Villain Feathers McGraw". Variety. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  10. ^ "BBC unveils exclusive Wallace & Gromit themed Christmas idents". BBC. 30 November 2024.
  11. ^ Farndale, Nigel (18 December 2008). "Wallace and Gromit: one man and his dog". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
  12. ^ "Wallace and Gromit return to TV". BBC News. 2 October 2007. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  13. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (4 May 2017). "Aardman's Peter Lord "Absolutely Assumes" There Will Be More 'Wallace & Gromit'". Yahoo! UK. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  14. ^ a b King, Jack (20 January 2022). "New 'Wallace and Gromit' Movie to Premiere On Netflix In 2024 and Here's the First Synopsis". Collider. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  15. ^ a b Ritman, Alex (20 January 2022). "New Wallace & Gromit Film in Works From Aardman/Netflix; Chicken Run 2 Cast and Title Unveiled". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  16. ^ Hughes, William (19 November 2023). "Chicken Run studio Aardman is apparently running out of clay". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  17. ^ Collin, Robbie (17 November 2023). "Aardman is about to run out of clay – now the Chicken Run creators face a crisis". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  18. ^ Kanter, Jake (20 November 2023). "'Wallace & Gromit' Studio Aardman Forced To Deny That It's Running Out Of Clay". Deadline. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  19. ^ "BBC reveals exciting new details of Wallace and Gromit's Christmas 2024 feature film return". BBC. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  20. ^ Reporter, Film Music (1 August 2024). "Aardman Animations' 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' to Feature Music by Lorne Balfe". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  21. ^ Debruge, Peter (27 October 2024). "'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' Review: Feathers Returns in What Could Have Been a Perfectly Charming Short". Variety. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  22. ^ "World Premiere of WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL to Debut at AFI FEST presented by Canva". American Film Institute. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl: What we know about release date, plot, voice cast and creative team". The Economic Times. The Feed. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  24. ^ "BBC announces Christmas Day air date and releases trailer for the return of Wallace and Gromit". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  25. ^ "BBC unveils exclusive Wallace & Gromit themed Christmas idents". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  26. ^ Gecsoyler, Sammy (26 December 2024). "Gavin and Stacey finale tops Christmas television ratings". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  27. ^ "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  29. ^ Heritage, Stuart (25 December 2024). "The best Christmas companions possible: Wallace & Gromit's triumphant TV return". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  30. ^ Jessop, Vicky (25 December 2024). "Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl review – Chuckles rather than belly laughs from Aardman". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  31. ^ Willman, Chris (6 November 2024). "Hollywood Music in Media Awards Noms Led by 'Emilia Pérez' and 'Blitz,' With Elton John, Hans Zimmer and Scores More Among the Nominees". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  32. ^ Pond, Steve (25 November 2024). "'Wicked' Leads Nominations for Astra Film Awards". TheWrap. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  33. ^ "Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2024 Nominations". Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  34. ^ Neglia, Matt (6 December 2024). "The 2024 San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  35. ^ Childress, Erik, ed. (10 December 2024). "Brady Corbet's THE BRUTALIST Leads With Nine Nominations At Chicago Film Critics Association 2024 Awards". Chicago Film Critics Association. Retrieved 11 December 2024. …two categories…a tie vote and six total nominees are named: Best Film and Best Original Score. Other nominations unique to the CFCA include Chicago's own Keith Kupferer nominated for Best Actor (GHOSTLIGHT) and two nominations for the indie sleeper hit HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS.
  36. ^ "The 2024 Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  37. ^ "The 2024 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  38. ^ "2024 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations". AwardsWatch. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  39. ^ "The 2024 New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO) Nominations". Next Best Picture. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  40. ^ Josh (6 December 2024). "Seattle Film Critics Society announce 2024 nominees". The SunBreak. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  41. ^ Zahed, Ramin (9 December 2024). "Six Animated Movies Are Nominated for the 2025 Golden Globes Awards". Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  42. ^ Evans, Greg (12 December 2024). "Conclave And Wicked Lead Critics Choice Awards Film Nominations – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  43. ^ Hipes, Patrick (28 October 2024). "Jon M. Chu, Maysie Hoy And Paul Hirsch Set For ACE Eddie Awards Honors". Deadline. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  44. ^ "2024 Nominees | International Press Academy". Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  45. ^ "The 2024 EDA Award Nominees". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  46. ^ Vlessing, Etan (20 December 2024). "'The Wild Robot' Leads Annie Awards Nominations With 10 Nods". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  47. ^ "Wallace & Gromit creator addresses future of the series". Digital Spy.
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