Twenty years after the last feature film, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005), and over three decades since the iconic The Wrong Trousers (1993), which marked the beginning of the saga, Wallace and Gromit return to the big screen with Vengeance Most Fowl, nominated for the 2025 Oscars as Best Animated Feature and winner of the 2025 BAFTA for Best Animated Film.
While the film doesn’t quite match the hilarious originality of its predecessors, it still marks a significant comeback, enriched by fresh humor and a reflection on modern challenges, with a particular focus on the role of automation and new technologies in our lives.
Wallace, the usual brilliant but distracted inventor, maintains his eccentric and optimistic character. By his side, Gromit, the loyal anthropomorphic beagle, continues to be a silent yet incredibly expressive companion, capable of communicating a wide range of emotions without saying a word. Their bond remains the beating heart of the film: Gromit is not just an impeccable assistant but also the voice of reason, wary of the reckless use of technology and always ready to fix the disasters caused by Wallace’s wacky inventions.
The plot centers around the return of an old enemy, Feathers McGraw, the penguin disguised as a chicken whom we first met in The Wrong Trousers. After years in captivity, McGraw finally manages to exact his revenge by sabotaging the Norbot, an all-purpose robot gnome created by Wallace to help (or replace!) Gromit with daily tasks. Unfortunately, the invention quickly turns into a threat. Wallace, despite his good intentions, ends up creating a danger to his own safety rather than designing devices to make his life easier. Gromit will save the day, not by opposing technology itself, but by resisting its irrational and excessive use.
The stop-motion animation, a trademark of Aardman animation studio, is once again flawless, with the use of plasticine still preserving the handmade magic that has always characterized Wallace & Gromit. Despite the integration of digital techniques, the final result remains faithful to the style that made the saga famous.
A special mention also goes to Inspector Mackintosh, a funny, obtuse, and self-important character, and to the young agent Mukherjee, enthusiastic, inexperienced, but ambitious. Both, despite being completely ineffective in their roles as police officers, win over the audience with their clumsiness, adding a comedic dimension that enriches the narrative with typically British humor.
Vengeance Most Fowl is a film that offers comfort to long-time fans, while also winning over those approaching the Wallace & Gromit universe for the first time. It keeps the spirit of the saga alive, entertaining and engaging audiences of all ages, without ever betraying the essence of its characters. By tackling modern themes, such as the dangers of excessive use of technology, the film reminds us that there are some things that, thankfully, a machine will never be able to do—like replacing the loyal friend, Gromit.
Do you want to learn more? Check also the article Directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham on ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’
