Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
© James C. Hess
Rule Number Two, for example, says my house will be a home, by which I mean my house will contain elements and aspects of interest and importance to me. This, in turn, is defined as items I cherish and value and, most importantly, enjoy. For example, my animation collection.
I consider myself blessed and very fortunate because I have had opportunity to meet and get to know some incredible talents in the animation world. From Ray Harryhausen to Will Vinton. From Chuck Jones to the darling of the moment, Nick Park.
When I first started raving to anyone within earshot about the works of Nick Park there were some who thought I was on the verge of losing it, so to speak. They had never heard of Park and they knew not of his stop motion animation efforts.
Furthermore, despite being introduced to his work by way of my collection many admitted they were dumbfounded over the appeal of his work. A bald guy and his dog? Why is that cute, funny, clever, or worth expending time on, came the opinions as response.
Simply, because they are perfect. In their perfection there is a delightfulness, a playfulness that is unmatched in the history of stop-motion animation. In their perfection there is a universe, a reality of undeniable, almost limitless optimism, faith, and the belief they can go forth every day and make the world a better, safer place for all.
Especially lovers of cheese. (I leave you to figure out what this actually means.)
Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis), as some reading this may not know, is an inventor. Gromit is a dog, whose days are often spent doing what humans usually do: Cleaning up messes, made, specifically, by his, uh, master, the aforementioned Wallace.
I am hesitant to say that what Wallace does is to make messes, for that goes to implies his actions and antics are dangerous and unfavorable. They are not. In fact, they are just the opposite, framed by Wallace's often childlike perpection of reality, tempered by certain bravery, and a desire to do Good.
