When I heard a new Wallace & Gromit movie was coming out, I’ll admit – I was skeptical. Growing up, I’ve re-watched A Grand Day Out (1989) more times than I can count, and have spent hours dressing up Lady Tottington in the DVD bonus features of Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005). However, it was hard to get excited about a new W&G entry in an age of cash-grab reboots of childhood classics, and I was sure that the 2017 passing of British actor Peter Sallis (Wallace’s voice actor) cemented that another film would not be made. 

But I was not about to let a new Wallace & Gromit movie pass me by, so I gave it a shot… and I am so happy and relieved to say that the magic of this series is still alive!

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl feels as much of a family classic as its predecessors. Longtime W&G fans will appreciate the long-running jokes, Easter egg nods to other movies, and how much the claymation’s quality has improved since A Grand Day Out while still retaining the charm and creativity that stop-motion claymation painstakingly and lovingly builds in every minute detail. The new voice actor for Wallace, Ben Whitehead, does an excellent job bringing to life an iconic voice that I thought would be irreplaceable. (And I’m happy to report that the internet rumor that there will never be another Wallace & Gromit film because the studio ran out of clay is false). Vengeance Most Fowl‘s high-quality animated storytelling leaves you very impressed and appreciative of the artistry behind it.

So, here are three reasons why this feature, along with the rest of the series, is perfect cinema. The film is spectacular, with its attention to detail, engaging story, and how it captures the essence of the W&G universe. No notes. Give me fourteen more.

(While the spoilers ahead are minor, please check out Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl on Netflix! Bonus points if you are prepped with a mug of English tea, a plate of crackers, thick cheese slices, and a re-watch of The Wrong Trousers (1983).)

1. It's movie comfort food, but you never know what to expect.

Each film takes place at 62 Wallaby Street, with a few recurring quirky characters, so there’s a comforting nostalgic welcomeness to the W&G universe in Vengeance Most Fowl, no matter how long it’s been since watching the last film. I expect Wallace's absurdly complex wake-up and breakfast routines, high-speed chases involving the red motorcycle and sidecar, a small Yorkshire town shaken by a recent crime mystery, and, of course, Wallace’s unrelenting cravings for cheese. In each film, the duo usually have a new small business powered by Wallace’s inventions (e.g., an intricate bread factory, bungee cord window-cleaning services, or landscaping garden robots) and challenge Wallace and Gromit’s wit against bitter villains.

While these familiar elements are comforting, the film balances them with chaotic, action-packed comedy and fresh side characters (who doesn’t love an evil bagpiping garden gnome?) to keep things unpredictable and entertaining. Pulled together with the palpable emotions of claymation (don’t talk to me during Curse of the Were-Rabbit when the bunnies’ glassy, bead-eyes cry actual water), watching Wallace and Gromit is like being wrapped in a warm, cozy blanket of nostalgia. At the same time, the new mystery’s suspense and fun hectics will make you laugh, gasp, cry, and cheer within an hour.

2. The hidden puns.

   
   

To my fiancé’s delight (and my friends’ chagrin), I’m a sucker for puns. Like watching The Simpsons (1989), Wallace & Gromit is full of hidden jokes—like Gromit's bedtime reading, 'Men Are From Mars; Dogs Are from Pluto,' or a Virginia Woof novel—making every re-watch a treasure-filled scavenger hunt. The silly newspaper headlines, punny posters, Easter eggs, and other minor references keep you amused, no matter how often you've seen these movies.

One of the joys of watching these films over decades is finally understanding a joke that went over my head as a kid after returning to it years later. Adults and youngsters alike can enjoy these films. I hope that new, young viewers of Vengeance Most Fowl will discover new layers of this movie as they grow older, just like past generations of fans have. Wallace & Gromit movies are movies you can watch a million times, at any age, and still be entertained and notice something new that makes you laugh.

3. It puts the bounce in our bungees.

   
   

Wallace & Gromit films surprise you with how much emotional depth they can pack within a short comedy. Their movies are experiences that leave a lasting impression on your heart and a smile on your face. Even though the situations are fantastical (though I’m not giving up my hopes yet of flying to a moon made of cheese), the films provide relatable, human situations that connect with all audiences. In A Grand Day Out, a misunderstood character fights to fit in and realize his dreams. In A Matter of Loaf and Death, multiple characters desire to be loved for their talents and flaws. Now, Vengeance Most Fowl questions our reliance on technology and reminds its audience of the value of maintaining personal connections over artificial interactions. While it’s hard to imagine Wallace doing anything but inventing, as he says to Gromit in Vengeance Most Fowl, he can live without technology but not without his “best pal.”

Vengeance Most Fowl is a brilliant movie that rekindles the magic of two of our favorite animated characters. It reminds us why Wallace & Gromit is still going strong after nearly forty years, and is a testament to the enduring power of Aardman Animations’ timeless storytelling. So grab your cheese and crackers, settle in, and enjoy another epic adventure – because this classic duo is still in style.

Sophia Acquisto

Sophia is an elementary teacher turned PhD student in Troy, NY, and has been a part of the Story Screen family since 2019. When not studying, Sophia loves rewatching with her fiancé episodes of The Great British Baking Show and Malcolm in the Middle.