The Return of Wallace and Gromit 149
blamanj writes "Aardman Studios have release the first peek (Quicktime) at the new Wallace & Gromit film, Curse of the Wererabbit. Currently scheduled for an October release, the slightly-less-than dynamic duo will be putting their talents to work chasing a were-rabbit that threatens the town's vegetables. Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter supply lead vocals. Character creator Nick Park co-directs his story."
Finally, good non-CG animation (Score:5, Interesting)
W&G is such a nice break from the (albeit quite good) CG animation movies of the past few years. Claymation requires so much handwork and attention to detail, that there are very few people who can do it, let alone do it well. The folks at Pixar et al are great at what they do, and they put in a lot of detail... but the computer rendering is also responsible for a bunch of the look. Here you have straight-up, old-fashioned hard work, care, and love on the part of the animators.
W&G first-timers (Score:5, Interesting)
We saw a short introduction (featuring a typical Wallace & Gromit contraption cracking an egg), then the first episode came and went. Then the intro started again, and the murmurs started. The third round saw louder mutterings. By the fifth round, there was scattered applause and mild catcalls. At seven or eight, many of the kids could be heard saying "why are they showing that again?" By the time the tenth episode came on the screen, there was general laughter from the entire crowd. When an 11th episode failed to appear, in favor of a longer Nick Park feature (Dogs & Cats, or something like that), I believe there was applause.
Several years ago, the early Simpsons shorts (from the Tracy Ullman show, before the series even started) were sprinkled throughout the Animation Celebration program. I still wonder if the organizers put the W&G shorts back-to-back just for artistic effect.
Re:Sean the Sheep (Score:4, Interesting)
I've met Nick Park - he's from the same town as me (Preston, England) and when I was at the local college he came to talk to the students. He's the worlds most utterly boring talker, but was playing with plasticine while he talked and would occasionally throw a fully-formed Wallace or Gromit into the crowd. Anyways, my name is Sean, i'm from Preston, he named it after me dagnabbit!
Re:Mmm... Helena.... (Score:3, Interesting)
W&G DVDs (Score:2, Interesting)
Maybe it'll include the 10 shorts, that were developed in order for the animation team to get comfortable with the characters, as well.
Have there been any rumblings about a DVD release?
Re:Sean the Sheep (Score:2, Interesting)
I just can't tell with the accent, Shaun and Shorn are about the same in British English.
Re:Finally, good non-CG animation (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:It's a bit weird (Score:5, Interesting)
He always was! I've read an interview with him, where he said that Grommit is his plasticine alter ego. "Grand Day Out" was Nick Park's reflection on a real event from his own childhood, when his father has built a homebrew caravan and took his family on a trip. His father was very proud of himself, but for young Nick, it was more of a traumatic experience - the caravan was largely built of cardboard and general junk and young Nick felt very insecure. He portrayed his father as a crazy inventor, who builds a junk space rocket and takes his dog on a trip - ignoring all the possible perils (all too obvious to the poor, scared dog).
Just a side note: hobbyists often ignore how annoying their passion can be to their families. I wonder how many fellow slashdotters repeated the mistake of Mr Park senior. They said to their significant other (or their children): "Look! This is a computer I made using power supply from an old refrigerator, defunct playstation, keyboard from electric typewriter and screen from our old TV-set, all running a custom-compiled version of BSD! Ain't that cool?". And they fail to see a clear message in the eyes of their families: "why can't we just buy something normal like everyone else?".
Re:Finally, good non-CG animation (Score:3, Interesting)
Also: Creature Comforts on Comedy Central (Score:3, Interesting)
larry