WALLACE & GROMIT: A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH [2008 / 2009] [20th Anniversary Edition] [Blu-ray] A Bubbling! Punning! Clockwork Piece of Magnificent!
The “Claymation” animation heroes of ‘A Grand Day Out,’ ‘The Wrong Trousers,’ ‘A Close Shave’ and ‘The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,’ are back in another classic 'who-doughnut' mystery from the Four time Academy Award® winning Director Nick Park.
Cheese-loving inventor Wallace [Peter Sallis] and his long-suffering faithful dog Gromit have this time started a brand new bread baking business entitled the 'Top Bun' bakery in 62 West Wallaby Street that now houses a new bakery, complete with ovens, robotic kneading arms and an old-fashioned rooftop windmill. Business is flourishing at `Top Bun,' but it's not due to Gromit's skills with dough, but somebody has killed 12 other bakers in town. Not that Wallace is worried or oblivious to the danger, but instead he is dough-eyed in love with Piella Bakewell [Sally Lindsay], former star of the Bake-O-Lite bread commercials.
While they enjoy being the “Toast of the Town,” Gromit soon realises his master's life is in jeopardy, and turns sleuth to solve the escalating mystery – before Wallace becomes the next victim of the Cereal Killer's baker's dozen.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 2009 BAFTA Awards: Win: Best Short Animation for Bob Baker, Nick Park and Steve Pegram. 2009 Annecy International Animated Film Festival: Nomination: The Annecy Cristal for Nick Park. 2009 Annie Awards: Win: Best Animated Short Subject. 2009 Broadcasting Press Guild Awards: Nomination: Best Comedy/Entertainment for Bob Baker, Nick Park and Steve Pegram. 2009 Cartoon Forum, Europe: Nomination: Cartoon d'Or for Nick Park. 2009 Chicago International Children's Film Festival: Nomination: Children's Jury Award for Best Animated Short Film or Video for Nick Park. 2010 Academy Awards®: Nomination: Best Short Film, Animated for Nick Park.
FILM FACT No.2: ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH’ was the first Aardman Animations film to be made using the software Stop Motion Pro. Five models were created for Gromit alone, with scenes being shot simultaneously on thirteen sets. Commenting on the fact that the short would be made directly for a British audience, Nick Park said: "I don't feel like I'm making a film for a kid in some suburb of America — and being told they're not going to understand a joke, or a northern saying." Regardless, Park changed the title from Trouble at Mill, as he thought it was too obscure a Northern England colloquialism. As well as a final title that references ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH,’ the film also references to the films ‘Batman,’ ‘Aliens’ and ‘Ghost.’ Nick Park said in an interview with the Radio Times, "The BBC hardly gave a single note or instruction on the whole thing", and Park goes on to remark how it was better than his previous work with DreamWorks, Curse of the Were-Rabbit, where they kept on receiving calls to change critical things. Nick Park cast Sally Lindsay after hearing her on the Radcliffe and Maconie Show on BBC Radio 2 whilst driving from Preston. Although unfamiliar with her role as Shelly Unwin in Coronation Street, Park said "Sally has a lot of fun in her voice, flamboyant almost, and I was also looking for someone who could be quite charming too, but with a slightly posh northern accent. Piella needed to at times sound well to do, and then at others sound quite gritty".
Voice Cast: Peter Sallis (Wallace), Sally Lindsay (Piella Bakewell), Melissa Collier (Fluffles), Sarah Laborde (Bake O Lite Singer), Geraldine McEwan (Miss Thripp) (uncredited) and Ben Whitehead (Bob the Baker) (uncredited)
Director: Nick Park
Producers: David Sproxton, Miles Bullough, Peter Lord and Steve Pegram
Screenplay: Bob Baker and Nick Park
Composer: Julian Nott
Cinematography: Dave Alex Riddett (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: English: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Master Audio
English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH
Running Time: 29 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Aardman Animations / 2|Entertain [BBC]
Andrew's Blu-ray Review: Aardman Animations Wallace & Gromit, the lovable “Claymation” duo created by animator Nick Park, are celebrating their 20th Birthday Anniversary, with this amazing Blu-ray release of ‘WALLACE & GROMIT: A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH’ and amazingly they haven't seen much small-screen action during the last 15 years. This isn't counting their 2005 big-screen adventure, ‘The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,' or a handful of invention-themed shorts, entitled ‘Cracking Contraptions,’ but it will prove one point: they're almost too big for Television now. Spin-offs like ‘Shaun the Sheep' feel perfectly at home on the smaller medium, yet the prospect of new Wallace & Gromit material is something else entirely.
This time, the eccentric Lancashire inventor and his long-suffering canine companion have started their own bakery business: Top Bun. Their house has been fully converted to cover everything bread based, even going as far as having a windmill in the house, which must annoy everyone else living near 62 West Wallaby Street. Wallace currently runs one of the most profitable bakeries in town, but that is mainly because 12 other local bakers have been murdered by a “Cereal killer.” Soon, he becomes distracted when he saves the life of Piella Bakewell, former star of the Bake-O-Lite bread adverts. Eventually the two fall in love, although Gromit has his suspicions, partly due to the behaviour of Piella's nervous pet poodle Fluffles.
For me, the best moments in the film are the visual gags. Everything from a shed full of knifes labelled “WMD” to a book called Electronic Surveillance for Dogs by B. A. Lert, to even a forklift truck with oven mittens. ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH’ is absolutely wonderful, as is everything that Wallace and Gromit have been in. However, this film is of great importance to us Brits because it is the first adventure since the feature film. As a result, this is more British. It is slightly cheekier and how else can you do gags about people falling in love with dough rising) and full of gags that only we British would get. My personal favourite moment involved a sign reading “Yorkshire Border – Keep Out!”
Their latest made-for-TV adventure and their first since `A Close Shave' [1995] is `A Matter of Loaf and Death,' and it literally went by in a blur: production began in January 2008 and it aired in time for Christmas. In comparison, their debut adventure `A Grand Day Out' that took roughly six years to complete, since it was practically a one-man show. From the first frame onward, it's easy to see that Loaf and Death is polished, slick, and has been crafted by more than one individual, yet it still retains the personal, hand-crafted atmosphere that has become one of Aardman Animations hallmarks. It's certainly closer in tone to `A Close Shave’ and `Curse of the Were-Rabbit' than the first two outings - but even though the story feels familiar at times, ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH’ is still an exciting and enjoyable ride.
But as you view this brilliant “Claymation” animation, we get loads of other very funny references and inside jokes, from all types’ of genres that you should look out for and they are as follows: The scene of Piella and Wallace “moulding” the dough, which recalls a similar moment (with clay) in the film ‘GHOST.’ Vinyl record called “Puppy Love” by Doggy Osmond, which is heard at end of film. Other albums include “The Hound of Music” and one by a group called “The Beagles.” Gromit reads “Electronic surveillance for Dogs.” Fluffles sleeps in a box marked “Meatabix,” the same brand name of dog food as seen on the box from which Gromit spies on Feathers McGraw in ‘THE WRONG TROUSERS’ and Gromit owns the DVDs for ‘Bite Club,’ ‘The Bone Identity,’ ‘Pup Fiction,’ ‘Where Beagles Dare’ and the ‘The Dogfather.’
There's a sinister force just below the surface, a damsel in distress, and despite the carnage being carried out, it's treated lightly and paired with plenty of terrific sight gags. Those looking for an entirely new adventure may find themselves slightly disappointed with ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH,’ but the disappointment will not last very long. As usual, the animation, voice work and music are absolutely top-notch; in fact, the only minor complaint is that it seems to be over a little too quickly. This is, of course, a natural handicap, since Wallace & Gromit are fresh off a feature-length adventure, but it's hardly a deal-breaker. From top to bottom, ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH’ is a totally charming, fast-paced adventure that Aardman Animations enthusiasts should certainly enjoy this magic animation.
A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH MUSIC TRACK LIST
UNCHAINED MELODY (uncredited) (Written by Alex North and Hy Zaret) [Performed by The Righteous Brothers]
PUPPY LOVE (uncredited) (Written by Paul Anka) [Performed by Donny Osmond]
WALLACE & GROMIT THEME (uncredited) (Written by Julian Nott) [Performed by Platinum Themes Pro]
Blu-ray Image Quality – As for the transfer itself of ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH,’ the colours are so life like and brilliant and at times you think you are watching a 3D film. The image details are awesome and the black levels are consistent and the digital problems are kept to a minimum. So all in all a totally worthy performance from Aardman Animations and they get a 10 out of 10 from me. But reading reviews in America, I see they have only released this in the Region A/1 Blu-ray format and in a ghastly cropped version from its original UK 1.78:1 aspect ratio release. Why didn't Hit Entertainment in the USA preserve the original ratio format, or given the Americans both aspect ratio options, at the very least, it is simply dumbfounding, especially since the UK is an All Region Blu-Ray release, that got the aspect ratio right. Optional English captions, which are advertised as subtitles on the menu, are also included during the main feature only.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – This ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH’ Blu-ray release has a fully-fledged 5.1 Surround mix. Dialogue is nice crisp and clear and the music rarely fights for your attention. But one thing you definitely get is a good audio experience with rear speakers and wraps around your listening experience. Another bonus is the thunderous bass and drums that will give your subwoofer a rocking good workout. Overall, the soundstage that is produced, gives a brilliant and outstanding audio fidelity, that will make you enjoy this hilarious Wallace & Gromit animated film with every viewing experience.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Audio Commentary with Director Nick Park and Editor David McCormick: Director Nick Park and Editor David McCormick do a really great job of keeping things lively during this short session and Nick Park and David McCormick mix in a standard amount of behind-the-scenes trivia, but they also point out a few continuity errors along the way. Director Nick Park and editor David McCormick also discuss how they crammed the story into half an hour, they also praise the hard working animators, and also point out the continuity errors. Overall, it's a totally recommended listen, especially for fans of Wallace & Gromit of all ages.
Special Feature: How They Donut: The Making of ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH’ [2008] [1080p] [1.78:1] [20:19] This special feature gives us a sneak look behind-the-scenes documentary. Featuring participation from members of the Aardman Animations creative team, and there is plenty of great info and visuals on display here. As a fan of animation and sculpture, it's always nice to peek behind the curtain.
Special Feature: Picture Gallery: With this Slide Show you get roughly 15 different awesome images from different parts of the film and if you want to, you can use the pause button to study in detail each image. While this Slide Show is running, you get the music from the film in the background.
Special Feature: Video Game Demo of ‘Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures’ [DVD-ROM activities] This is a very talky demo and is a bit clunky and more confusing than fun, but maybe younger audiences may find it more engaging.
Special Feature: When Wallace Met Harvey [2008] [1080p] [1.78:1] [5:01] With this in-depth documentary, we get to view about how to create a Wallace & Gromit Advertising Campaign, to launch the new Harvey Nichols store in Bristol in Partnership with Aardman Animations. You get to see behind-the-scene on how the Aardman Team create the actual animation advertising campaign, especially with the famous “Claymation” animation characters from the Wallace & Gromit film.
Trailers: Here we get to view the following trailers: ‘Timmy Time’ and ‘Shaun The Sheep’ Episode “Off the Baa!”
Finally, it's been a long time since Wallace and Gromit last starred in a small-screen adventure, but ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH’ shows that Aardman Animations hasn't lost a step and its magical charm. Our story's suspenseful twists and turns are peppered with surprises, slapstick and sight gags, though many story elements are nearly identical to `A Close Shave' and `Curse of the Were-Rabbit.' All things considered, though, there's more than enough great material here to consider ‘A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH’ a worthy entry into the Wallace & Gromit Collection.' But one thing that really bugs me is, why can't they release `The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit' on a Blu-ray disc, instead of the inferior DVD format? So come on you people at Aardman Animations, get your act together and please don't delay in letting us massive fans of Wallace & Gromit have more of this stunning very British humour animation adventures with your other animation films that are only available on the inferior DVD format. Despite this, I am so happy and proud to have this in my Blu-ray Collection and I am a very happy bunny. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
