ID Mass Review 2: Wallace and Gromit Curse of the Wererabbit

Its almost time for the Giant Vegetable competion at Tottington Hall and Wallace and Gromit are making sure that rabbits don't get the local people's prize veg by operating a humane pest control agency. But things go very bad when a Were-Rabbit starts terrorizing the town, and it may not be as easy to catch as its small cousins...

Wallace and Gromit the Curse of the were-rabbit was yet another feat of animation from Aardman Studios. I enjoyed the story and recognising all the references and jokes that they make, which had a few surprising adult ones (of a slightly sexual nature) that I wasn’t expecting in a film which would be seen by large young audiences. I don’t think anyone really minded however, I suppose either children are too young to get it, in which case it’s not a problem, or they’re old enough to get it, in which case they’re mature enough for it not to scar them.
This film, as you may have guessed, is a lot about rabbits. So it’s a shame for me that I didn’t like the way they did rabbits here. They looked too boggle-eyed and annoying for me to find them cute, and I think a lot of the sympathy in this film relied on them being so. And look away now if you don’t want a spoiler, but the ‘Wallace bunny’ (Hutch) was so irritating to look at that the ending was rather spoiled for me, being as I was resentful that my eyes were forced yet again to fall upon this failed attempt at adorableness. He looked like Dobby from Harry Potter, being all short and stupid and needlessly cheerful, and wearing an oversize jumper as a dress.
The aspects I did like, however, were the moments of humour and the trademark ‘wacky genius inventions’ throughout. Gromit’s portrayal of a sexy giant rabbit was rather amusing.
Most people will enjoy this a lot so don’t let my nit picking put you off.

3/5

Curse of the Were-rabbit is undeniable proof that there is ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE for people to make bad films, and especially not bad family films. Wallace and Gromit make a seamless transition into their first feature incarnation, which is chock full of mixed laughs...Britta and I were privileged (if thats the word) to be pretty much the only people older than seven in the audience, and so could appreciate which bits made them laugh. Predictably, it was mostly the jokes about burping and suchlike. In fact, I think they probably enjoyed the film more as a straight horror/mystery whereas a lot of the blink-and-you'll-miss-it gags were for adults. The film has some very nice references to things like the Gerry Anderson series and a lot of hammer horror and earlier Wolfman films, but of course the exquisite eye for details is one of the great strengths of Aardman. The film avoided Americanitis despite its joint venture with Dreamworks, and the Britishness is never compromised. One thing I very much liked on this front was the Vicar character, an affectionate but still quite mocking portrait of the C of E, particularly when he claims they are being punished by God for growing large vegetables.
The central partnership are as lovable as ever, with a consistency of character that few series manage to hold up. Their flaws get them into trouble, and their smarts and good old British grit bring them out again. The brilliantly over-complex heath-robinson gadgets are charming, there is plenty of cuteness in the form of rabbits (although the Wallace-Rabbit really hits the uncanny valley for me) and the photography is just beautiful. There is nothing to say about the animation that hasn't been said a hundred times but just for the record, it is perfection.
Take note, all those making films; you cannot get away with crap any more.

5/5