Nick Park’s delightful animation, Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, is his first full-length feature with these characters — and it’s a lovely family film packed with cheeky gags and buoyant fun. The script, co-written by Park with Steve Box, Bob Baker and Mark Burton, is a model of high-IQ comedy writing, and every scene and frame is crafted with flair.
Wallace is the doughty northern-English cheese-enthusiast, lovingly voiced by Peter Sallis, who lives in a small town with his faithful hound Gromit. They make their living running a firm called Anti-Pesto, a name that sums up our two heroes’ solemn mission. Wallace and Gromit cruise around in a homely van, rounding up the rabbits that are devastating the locals’ precious vegetables. Rabbit-related emergencies trigger an alarm at Wallace and Gromit’s command centre, which is modelled on the International Rescue island HQ of Thunderbirds. Each of their clients has a portrait whose eyes flash in a crisis. Wallace and Gromit then slide down elaborate chutes to their vehicle, in fine action-hero style, and get stuck into the situation.
But Wallace has red blood flowing in his Plasticine veins and he wouldn’t be human — or rather, quasi-human — if he didn’t have feelings for his distinguished and beautiful client Lady Tottington, voiced by Helena Bonham Carter. She has a serious rabbit infestation on her estate and Wallace is able to use his hi-tech rabbit vacuum pump to remove the beasts without cruelty.
His success with the bunnies enrages Lady Tottington’s long-term suitor, the villainous and splendidly named Victor Quartermaine, who is a hardcore field-sports man and believes in letting rabbits have it with both barrels. Victor is terrifically voiced by Ralph Fiennes, showing a hitherto underdeveloped talent for comedy.
There’s pure, unpretentious joy in every minute of The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and the supporting voicework is a treat. Comedy stalwart Liz Smith plays a grouchy old lady and Peter Kay a copper. There is also plenty of nifty visual humour.
Anyone tempted to patronise Park’s tremendous creation should think again. It’s blue-chip entertainment for children and grown-ups alike. — Â