We have enjoyed Wallace and Gromit, and their stop-motion animated style for more than 35 years. The first short dates back to 1989, and yet audiences continue to excite at seeing the pair back on the screen. Well, as we kick off a new year, we have a new Wallace & Gromit adventure.
Their latest animated feature, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, was a late 2024 release for awards competition but it gets its wide release on Netflix on the first Friday of 2025. It brings back the classic friends in a new, feature-length adventure that will be a perfect way to kick off a long holiday weekend.
In the film, we begin with Wallace (Ben Whitehead) and Gromit enjoying the spoils of success. They’ve nabbed the notorious Feathers McGraw, a penguin who was about to claim a big diamond prize. The capture makes Wallace a hero and sends McGraw to prison. A while later, McGraw is still stewing and plotting revenge.
He finds his way in thanks to some new-found fame for Wallace after his latest invention, a helpful robot garden gnome named Norbot (Reece Shearsmith) makes a big hit with the community. Everyone wants Norbot, or one like him, to help with their projects. But, while well intentioned, it rankles Gromit, who sees this robot undoing some of his work, stealing his hobbies, and taking his role alongside Wallace.
McGraw manages to break into Norbot’s control and flip them, while building an army for himself. While Wallace is blissfully unaware, Gromit sets about trying to stop the plan and restore Wallace’s good name before it’s too late.
We come to these films and stories because we enjoy the simple animation and the characters. Wallace and Gromit are a delight on screen and remain a great pairing even all these decades later. That’s certainly true here. It’s their relationship that is at the heart of the film and is one of the most fun parts about watching these films.
This one has a simple story, like most Wallace & Gromit tales. It’s engaging and easy to follow, with plenty of laughs and a couple cute twists at the end. I liked the animation with Feathers McGraw and the arc of the story. For fans of the animation, this will be a nice treat to kick off the year.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is a great way to begin the new year with some family-friendly entertainment for viewers of all ages. The film streams on Netflix beginning Friday, January 3.