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The Incredible Adventures of Wallace and Gromit

The Incredible Adventures of Wallace and Gromit

List Price: $9.97
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great entertainment for children
Review: When I selected these videos, I was concerned that my children -- ages 3 and 5 -- would not understand British humor. They understand it, and the films have become favorites for all.

They are value-priced. The entertainment value certainly exceeds the price.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Crackin Toast!
Review: Here it is! Some of the best "Claymation" to hit the big or small screen. I remember seeing "A Grand Day Out" in the village at the annual Animation Tourney. It was one of the longest, yet it was the most captivating. The characterizations are fun. Wallace is somewhat book smart. However, Gromit (the Dog) is the true intellectual. Whether it's the quest for cheese or cleaning sheep, you can't help but laugh and care about the characters. Fun for the whole family.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great entertainment, check out the DVD
Review: I won't waste time saying how incredible the art and animation of Nick Parks is. Rather I'll try to encourage the proliferation of the DVD version of this set as it is far superior. This 3 pack is only three 30-minute videos, but the DVD contains Wrong Trouser behind-the-scenes footage (30 minutes) and several little tidbits that make it a must for W&G fans (see my review there to learn more about the extras)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Solid entertainment, good DVD
Review: Insofar as DVD's go, this one is somewhat strong. The Wrong Trousers behind-the-scenes is especially good although short (30 min) and left me wanting more (and it felt like there was more, but it wasn't included). There are some BBC Channel 2 spots from Xmas 1995 starring Wallace and Gromit, but each is only a few seconds long (with the exception of a bizarre spot where W&G stare at the camera for 1 minute). There are several very early animations from Nick Parks but they are extremely low quality and lacking sound. They're really there to show how far Parks has come. As far as content goes, there is good reason why this rated G title ranks as one of Amazon's best sellers. Well worth twice the price. (note: the 3-pack VHS gift set also contains the 3 shorts but does not include the behind-the-scenes stuff)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Cracking Tapes!
Review: What's not to like about Wallace and Gromit? Excellent claymation effects, wry British humour (have to spell it their way) and wild contraptions which come out of Rube Goldberg's mind. The premise seems simple: a man and his dog and their adventures. But in this case, the dog (Gromit) is the brains of this operation and the one who saves the day from his master (Wallace).

The three tapes show the development in Nick Park's style throu the years. Check out the models of Wallace and Gromit in A Grand Day Out and compare them to the other two films. Wallace has a smaller mouth and Gromit's nose is extremely large and his ears more floppy. As the series evolved, the characters appearences changed and became more developed. Gromit is the occasional long suffering one who puts up with his master's whims without protest, even if they are crazy or wrong. Gromit is more of a cynic and realist, although he believes in the inherent goodness of society in general. In the end, Gromit comes up with the plan which triumphs in the end even if he has to suffer indignities (like being kicked out of his own house by a treacherous penguin or spending time in a prison on false charges-shades of Les Miz, Count of Monte Christo, and numerous other innocents being framed for crimes stories). On the other hand, Wallace is naive and at the same time concerned with his own comforts (and to a certain extent domineering), like good toast, Wensleydale cheese, and a comfortable bed. He is easily seduced by visions of grandeur or flattery and rarely heeds the advice of Gromit until it is almost too late.

As the characters became more developed, the plots did as well. A Grand Day Out was rather simplistic, but The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave were mini-film noirs by themselves (and won well deserved Oscars as well). Kids will like the films, but adults will find the sophisticated humour (here I go again with my British spelling) appealing. I mean, who can resist a dog who reads the Republic (by Pluto), Electronics for Dogs, and Crime and Punishment(by Fido Dostoevsky). And check out the newspaper headline in The Wrong Trousers (Dog Reads Newspaper). Get a laugh out of the sheep trying to balance on Wallace's motorcycle and sidecar. Try not to get too heavy over the symbolism, as I did. Finally, all W&G fanatics should demand that Nick Park do more films featuring the duo. I for one would like to see a full-length Wallace and Gromit feature.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: GREAT FAMILY FUN
Review: Wallace and Gromit are loads of laughs--which keep getting funnier each time you watch. Amazing background detail and English humor...friendly delightful fun for all!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wallace & Gromit: The First Three Adventures
Review: Well done Nick Park. His production is the best of claymation available. The characters expressions are believable, human-like and the stories are charming. Very entertaining... and there's nothing wrong with the DVD disk on my player; works fine.

When can we expect more?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent trilogy, disappointing DVD
Review: A claymation that both adults and children will love and I highly recommend it. However, I'm quite disappointed with the lack of extras in this DVD. First, you only get excerpts from a Behind-the-Scenes featurette. Why not the whole thing? Second, this film was made for commentary. Several scenes have you wondering how did they do that, how long did it take, etc. This makes the DVD not worth it if you already have them on another format.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: INCREDIBLE
Review: My older kids got this video as a gift and I thought it was just kidstuff but when my two & a half year old asked me to sit and watch it with her I found that I was enthralled by the animation and the story line. I love "Wa-wiss & Gomit".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Gentle Genius!
Review: Not until you see these works of art do you appreciate the genius of Nick Park's film-making.

These are short films with little dialogue and few characters which entrance everyone I know, young or old, wherever in the world they live.

Simultaneously funny and sad, full of apprehension as well as delight, it is difficult to know what to praise first - the animation, the wonderful relationship between the limited Wallace and the clever Gromit, the "sets" and lighting, or the hundred and one other things that contribute to the overwhelming impression of true perfection in film-making.

How lucky we all are that this genius is available to anyone who wants to experience it, just for the cost of a DVD. Not to be missed!


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