Film Reviews

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

• Rating:
• Director: Steve Box, Nick Park.
• Starring: Peter Sallis, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Peter Kay, Nicholas Smith, Liz Smith.
• Details: UK / 85mins / U.

Starsky and Hutch, Jules et Jim, Tom and Jerry... the history of cinema is crowded with improbable pairings. To these remarkable relationships we must add Wallace and Gromit, here united in their first feature-length foray on the big screen. The plucky plasticine duo have set up a new business since we last saw them having a close shave. Their 'Anti-Pesto' enterprise protects the local vegetable growers' specimen crops as the annual harvest competition held at Tottington Hall draws near. Their humane bunny extraction contraption works perfectly well until Wallace decides to connect it up to his untested thought control device, with horrific consequences. Ever the wiser of the two, Gromit - who you have to remind yourself can't speak - will have to save the day. Wallace gets to flutter eyeballs with Lady Tottington (Bonham Carter, "Call me Totty...", splendid) but we never do find out if she likes cheese. Truth be told, there isn't really room in the Wallace & Gromit relationship for a gooseberry, human or animal. Remember when Feathers McGraw came to stay! Ralph Fiennes puts in a star turn as Victor Quartermaine, a huntin' shootin' fishin' chap with designs on Totty's stately pile. I'd throw in a pun or two here but I'm over my allotment...

Review by Ted Sheehy