Absolutely Fantastic

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Wallace has bought a pair of ex-NASA robotic Techno-Trousers to walk his dog Gromit. Gromit is not too happy with the new gadget. They are actually low on cash and need to rent out a room. A penguin comes to rent the room but instead takes over Gromit's room. He starts doing things to push Gromit out and eventually Gromit runs away. The penguin reprograms the Techno-Trousers and trap Wallace in them. It's an elaborate plan to steal a giant diamond. It turns out that the penguin is actually the infamous thief Feathers McGraw and Gromit has to stop him and rescue Wallace.I like the comedy of Wallace and Gromit. I love the addition of the criminal penguin. He is funny, cute and villainous all at the same type. It's such a great character and should be their nemesis as much as possible. I find that's what's missing from some of the Wallace and Gromit fare. They need a good constant evil nemesis like Feathers McGraw.

The Wrong Trousers is directed by Nick Park who also co-writes the story with Bob Baker. Out of Aardman Animations and featuring the voice of Peter Sallis, the story sees Wallace & Gromit up to their necks in trouble when they take in a mysterious penguin lodger.The second animated feature outing for Wallace & Gromit is that type of animated feature that the kids roar at and the adults nod appreciatively towards. With its low key sense of humour, crime movie homage and scorching attention to detail, it's as good as claymation gets. Structured in simple three tier movie format, Park enjoys dallying with noir like visuals as Julian Nott's music rumbles away like it was a Karloff movie. Then it's into the final quarter where the story hits its menacing peak and Park unleashes a thrilling finale as our illustrious Northerners hurtle around the house on a model train. Brilliant. 9/10

Again brilliantly animated with all the little subtle touches that make Aardman films so great! Of course Peter Sallis does his usual excellent job of voicing Wallace. The plot is more complicated than the first film and it shows the ambition of the studio to progress. Some of the ideas are really crazy, but they work so well in this medium. For me, not quite as good as 'A Grand Day Out', but a very close second… HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.My Score: 9.2/10IMDb Score: 8.5/10 (based on 27,036 votes at the time of going to press).Rotten Tomatoes 'Tomatometer' Score: 100/100 (based on 25 reviews counted at the time of going to press).Rotten Tomatoes 'Audience' Score: 89/100 (based on 19,727 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).You can find an expanded version of this review on my blog: Thoughts of a SteelMonster.

Forget that you are watching an animation (not at all difficult with this masterpiece.) What would you like to see in a film? A great story? You got it. Action, suspense, emotion? You get that too. How about a liberal dose of comedy but also some pathos? No worries! First rate acting? Fear not, Gromit can 'act' the socks off half of Hollywood. This film never ceases, from the build up to the not one but *two* "set-piece" classic scenes and an array of sight-gags that simply delight. This is half an hour of pure genius, unlikely to be matched ever unless Mr. Park and his gang can do it. Awarding a perfect 10 is not always easy (for me) I tend to have niggling doubts but with this gem it was always a "no-brainer."