User reviews

I do agree with the other commentators that it isn't quite as good as Wrong Trousers or Close Shave, but there is still plenty to enjoy here. I can see completely why it was the most watched Christmas programme on British Television. Technically, it is a wonder. Even after thirteen years, the claymation is so good. And there are plenty of visual jokes to delight even the fussiest adult or child, like Puppy Love by Doggy Osmond. I just have to mention the ending, it was hilarious, with Wallace shouting "Gromit I've got a bomb in my pants". It was so silly I couldn't help laughing, so much so my sides were really sore. Sally Lindsey was impressive as Piella Bakewell, and Peter Sallis still proves that at 87 he could still do a competent job as ever as Wallace. Gromit still delights with his priceless facial expressions, and the little dog was enough to make you go "awww!" The storyline was quite dark in tone, even more so than the predecessors, but the constant visual jokes kept my family entertained. If I had one quibble, it would be that the pace of the episode was a bit too fast, but overall this was hugely enjoyable. 9/10 Bethany Cox.

Nick Park's favourite creations Wallace and Grommit are back for another short feature, and 'A Matter of Loaf and Death' will appeal to all who loved the earlier stories. Perhaps the duo's latest outing lacks some of the freshness of their original appearances; but the detail of Park's gentle parodies of a certain vision of Englishness is as loving and humorous as ever, and the claymation approach saves the film from the curse of excess speed that mars much computer-generated animation. In some ways, the Wallace and Grommit films feel as if they belong to the world they depict, rather than our own, coarser one; long may they continue!

This was the first Wallace & Gromit short to be made after the big world wide theatrical release and success of the full length animated movie "Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit". By now the entire world and- not just England anymore, knew who Wallace & Gromit were. This of course made expectations higher than usual and putted on pressure on Nick Park and the rest of the crew. "Wallace and Gromit in 'A Matter of Loaf and Death'" however does what all other previous Wallace & Gromit shorts had also already done in the past and that is to bring some cracking and good looking simple entertainment.

It's probably not as hilarious to watch as the previous Wallace & Gromit shorts but the movie is nevertheless entertaining and of course impressive as well to look at. The animations and possibilities have all advanced, which provides "Wallace and Gromit in 'A Matter of Loaf and Death'" with some even more impressive looking sequences.

The movie is probably less hilarious to watch because of its story. It's a quite sinister- and more of a thriller type of plot. All other Wallace & Gromit movies already sort of had this but this movie just a bit more than others. I must say that the movie even tends to drag a little at points but luckily the movie has more than enough redeeming qualities to qualify this movie as simple a great- and highly entertaining movie.

Another triumph for the Aardman studios.

8/10

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Wallace and Gromit have a new business venture and it is going down a storm. Having carried out some renovation on their house, they are now an operating bakery who deliver bread to your door. Of course, paranoid Gromit is concerned about the recent murders of twelve bakers in the town but it barely registers to Wallace. Pat of the reason for this is that he has a new focal point in his life as the Piella, the former Bake O Light bread girl is in town and seems just as enamoured by Wallace as he is by her. The romance begins while Gromit smells a rat.

The Wallace & Gromit films are mostly famous for the couple of big Christmas episodes they did that made them famous across the world and I was fine with the BBC holding this special back till Christmas Day because it did seem like their natural home. This film has a plot structure similar to A Close Shave in that the twosome are running a business which has some sinister activity by others associated with it. The fact that it happens to be murder in this case is perhaps a little dark for Christmas Day but it didn't matter because it does not stop it being fun. The plot goes where you expect and I really enjoyed it even though I didn't particularly like Piella or Fluffles as characters – but for me it will be a while before I enjoy any character as much as I did Feathers McGraw. The plot allows for plenty of movie references, some of which you need to "get" to find it funny but mostly you don't. Aliens and Batman are the obvious two but there are others.

The comedy also works in the detail, whether it be the inventive intricacies of the many devices that make up the house or the expressions on the faces of the characters. Yet again Gromit comes out as my favourite character and yet again I am amazed how they manage to get such expression onto his face. Sallis brings harmless charm to Wallace and it is hard to imagine that anyone could ever have done it as well as him. Lindsay is OK but I didn't like her character myself. If the film does have specific weaknesses the they are in two areas, both of which can be seen when you compare this to the mastery of The Wrong Trousers. Firstly, the pace is a bit too quick. I know it is 30 minutes but there did seem to be little in the way of build before it was into the meat and then over. The second weakness is that the closing set piece, while being a good Aliens reference, is not in the same league as the end of The Wrong Trousers or even A Close Shave. It is a shame but it doesn't have the thrill or creativity of that.

That said, it is still a very good piece of entertainment and it does feel right to have them as part of Christmas Day again. English charm, almost no jokes that would offend, inventive writing and animation and a solid plot – perhaps not as good as they have been but it is really hard to complain because it still delivers.

Roald Dahl knew as much as anyone that kids love things a bit darker, a bit more menacing. Nick Park seems far removed from Dahl, but the truth is the dark has always been there, it's just people haven't bothered to look.

Matter Of Loaf And Death was great BECAUSE it pushed the boundaries. It would be so easy to coast and take Sony's Yankee dollar. But Nick Park isn't like that.

I admire him because this is his creation and he always seems to come up with something surprise him. The clever film references, the delightful puns (Citizen Canine!) all well handled.

And seriously, didn't anyone else find Fluffie's relationship with Gromit sweet? Or perhaps I'm getting sentimental in my old age.

Anyhoo, I loved it.

Under rated, I feel, by a sizable amount. Yes it was a bit different to the more innocently silly Wrong Trousers but it was both a post-Wererabbit feature and a clear spoof of Murder mysteries. I loved the cartoony menace rumbling away as the plot thickens. Brilliant references, a great (cartoon) murder thriller atmosphere and the usual fantastic animations and characters. I found it the most gripping and compelling of all W&Gs. There's just enough silliness and action in it for W&G purists while IMO giving a much better, more involving story and a far slicker narrative. I thought it was pretty near to perfection and am surprised so many seem not to be as impressed.

It is a bit different, definitely darker than the early ones but this came after the darkish Wererabbit movie, so this progression is to be expected. Yes it's not as charming and may be on the dark side for young kids, but you have the early ones for eccentric charm. This is post-Wererabbit and is an excellent little murder thriller.

They're at it again and this time they've taken up baking, who could have anything against that? Enter Piella, a new love interest for lonely Wallace and Fluffles the Poodle who catches Gromit's eye.

Another classic from the Aardman studios, full of filmic references and gentle humour. The animation and set designs are fantastic and it's amazing how much Gromit can say with just his face considering he's made of clay. I also love the wacky way the writers and designers think a bakery run by these two would work and still include Wallace's wake up routine.

A superb story with cracking one liners and all the mayhem associated with Bumbling Wallace and his ever faithful Pooch.

I wonder if Piella will ever come back again?

Not as funny as the other Wallace and Gromit shorts, and certainly not as charming. Many of the jokes were spoofing well known films and would probably only be found funny by people that have seen them. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable enough and the animation, as always with Wallace and Gromit and with Aardman was top-notch which is great considering the fact that A Matter of Loaf and Death had the shortest production time for any Wallace and Gromit short so far.

It'll please the kids, that's for sure. The adult-pleasing jokes felt sparse but hit the mark. The story lacked the usual quirky charm of Wallace and Gromit but it still pretty much worked. I enjoyed the film but overall felt it lacked elements that made the previous ones so brilliant, so for me it's a 7/10.

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

Wallace and Gromit have decided to set up their own baking business. One day, Wallace nearly has a traffic accident with the woman who used to be the 'bake-o-lite' girl. They warm to each other and romance starts to blossom-but Gromit, wary as ever (what with past experience!) suspects she's trouble, and what with the spate of serial killings involving local bakers that's been going on lately, maybe he's onto something.

After the success of 2005's film version The Curse of the Were Rabbit, Nick Park's plasticine heroes have become popular again and got enough publicity for a timely new episode last Christmas, that for one reason or another I didn't get to see all the way through. But now I have, and while the technical animation never ceases to impress me, it's now becoming quite clear that in my mind, Park'll never make as great an episode as The Wrong Trousers.

The serial killing theme of this new story might have been a bit too dark and adult to feature in a family film, but one of the trademarks of the franchise, the cheesy puns, are in abundance, from vinyl records Gromit owns by artists like Doggy Osmond and McFlea (as well as The Hound of Music!), to other clever (but not very subtle!) touches like advertisements for flights by Cheesy Jet. The stories in most of the short films revolve around Wallace warming to someone (or something) he's just met and Gromit suspecting (and being proved right!) that they're up to no good, and this is no exception but most of it is carried off with such technical expertise it's a minor quibble.

There's nothing really wrong here, it's just that nothing has (and I doubt ever will) live up to the standard of The Wrong Trousers for me. ***

Wallace, the jerk, is only successful because Gromit does all the work. Here they are bakers who deliver bread in the morning. There have been twelve bakers killed and Gromit realizes that Wallace is probably on his way out. But the idiot falls in love with his adversary, leaving Gromit in the lurch, and responsible for saving their bacon. Well done. Beautifully animated with a fun plot.

Visually great, I don't think it's up there with Curse of the Wererabbit or The wrong trousers but it's still quite funny and was Peter Sallis' last Wallace and Gromit performance apart from Wallace and Gromit's World of Invention in 2010.

Plot wise it's well done, I loved the thriller aspects which is a fresh take and the figures were well produced as always.

7/10: A good watch

As a fan of the original three 'Wallace and Gromit' short films I was pleased to hear that there would be a fourth outing for the duo. Sadly though, 'A Matter of Loaf and Death' doesn't live up to the standards set by Nick Park's earlier works. There were several reasons for this: Firstly, the pacing of the film was far too rushed, thus preventing the viewer from ever really getting involved with the story on screen. Much of the film seems to jump from one scenario to the next, never giving the story time to build up, as so wonderfully demonstrated in 'The Wrong Trousers'.

Secondly, there seemed to be far greater use of music this time round, but rather than setting the mood, it seemed too 'obvious' in places, and merely felt forced, and comic in nature. In fact I can barely recall a moment of silence within the film at all. Conversely, take the scene in 'The Wrong Trousers' with Gromit hiding in a box and the Penguin slowly advancing towards him. The use of music (and restraint)is so effective, chilling and suspenseful, and really creates atmosphere.

Thirdly, the humour has changed somewhat over the years. In the earlier films, there were more subtle visual gags that weren't so overtly put forth, whereas in 'A Matter of Loaf and Death' there seems to be a greater if not equal emphasis on verbal dialogue, which doesn't seem to have quite the same appeal. Plus, much of the humour seems to be 'spoof-like' in nature resulting in contrived humour.

Forthly, 'Piella Bakewell' is simply not that interesting of a character, and ends up more being more annoying than menacing. Also, the whole end sequence falls flat, not only on its own terms, but in comparison to both 'TWT' and 'ACS'.

In summary, it seems that in an attempt to cram in as much as possible in 30 minutes of airtime, and the desire to throw all restraint out of the window, much of the charm, build-up and true brilliance of the original shorts has been lost. Nevertheless, any adventure with Wallace and Gromit is a welcome one, and much requested by fans. Perhaps Nick Park might study his earlier films, picking up on the techniques that made them so good in the first place. Who knows, maybe next time 'Wallace and Gromit' will go on an adventure in another country...................

'A Matter Of Loaf And Death (2008)' sees 'Wallace and Gromit' slip back into short-form without a single lost step, comfortably fitting in with their prior outings as an enjoyable claymation adventure. This time, the stakes are arguably the highest they've ever been; there's a killer on the loose (a real killer, I'll add) targeting bakers, which is exactly the profession our lovable leads have most recently thrown themselves into. Of course, that doesn't prevent the piece from being a side-splitting slice of fun from start to finish. Its humour is built upon the same sort of sight-gags and bad puns that the series has always excelled at delivering, making it a consistent and constantly chuckle-worthy blast from the past throughout. The only downside to this one is that its pacing feels somewhat rushed in places, as if the story is being crammed into slightly too tight a frame. Still, this isn't a major issue. The film is as fantastic as you'd expect it to be. 8/10

These two crack me up such fun I've only seen this once but it were such fun

Having gone all Hollywood on us it was a surprise to see Wallace and Gromit back on the small screen with this 30 minute short (which sounds harsh considering the years that goes into making them) for Christmas 2008.

It's great fun from start to finish. Loads of lovely verbal jokes, as well as the classic Aardman style of visual jokes you only see on second viewing.

Peter Sallis is as ever the perfect voice for Wallace, and is much missed.

The bar is set pretty high where Wallace and Gromit are concerned, and while I don't think this short is up there with 'A Close Shave' or 'The Wrong Trousers' it's certain good fun.

Wallace and his dog Gromit run a bakery, Top Bun. It's not a particularly good time to be a baker as 12 of them have been murdered in the neighbourhood in a short period. Then Wallace meets and falls in love with Piella Bakewell, formerly the face of Bake O Lite, a baking company.

Entertaining. Has the usual Wallace & Gromit adventure-laden plot, humour and folksiness plus the excellent, signature claymation. However, not in the same league as previous W&G films: not quite as charming and relies more on zany antics than on clever humour and plot.

Still good fun though.

This Oscar nominated short animated film is about Wallace falling in love with someone he should not have. Fortunately, Gromit is present to save the day.

I have always admired the laborious effort needed to produce a stop motion animation. In "Wallace and Gromit in A Matter of Loaf and Death" , the clay figures are well made, cute, have characters of their own and magically conveys a plethora of emotions and feelings. Wallace and Gromit are both likable and vibrantly alive, creating a positive atmosphere to engage the viewers. I enjoyed watching this short animation, and was entertained by it.

"Your buns are well and truly toasted!". "Wallace" and "Gromit" are now running a successful bakery business - well, "Gromit" is! His strenuous efforts to just get "Wallace" out of bed in the morning require the precision (and persistence) of the D-Day landings! According to the newspapers, baking is a dangerous business with twelve others having been rolling-pinned to death! Who'd want to harm them, though, eh? Enter "Piella" and her perfectly coiffured poodle "Fluffy". It's love at first sight for everyone - but can it be as good as it looks? It's perhaps not quite as good as the earlier outings for our cheese-lovers, but it's still great fun with some pithy dialogue and a denouement straight out of "Aliens" (1986) before some "Poochini" or "Hound of Music" to listen to in the car... Nope, sorry, "Puppy Love"!

"What?! A new Wallace and Gromit coming out, and in the traditional half-hour format? Wow! That's just grand! What's it called? A Matter of Loaf and DEATH?! Huh? That sounds a bit harsh..." These were my thoughts a few days ago when I heard that there was a new Wallace & Gromit film coming out. Fortunately our national broadcast company was among the first ones to show it. Now, after seeing the film, I must admit I am happy I put my four year old to bed to check it out by myself first. Unlike the first two adventures this short film wasn't suited for small children at all.

A Grand Day Out was a very nice and innocent piece of animation. What was lacking in finesse was offset by Nick Park trying really hard. The Wrong Trousers has more suspense and an excellent train scene, and it's a very good watch. This changed with A Close Shave. While a very good film, W&G was suddenly on the slippery slope of real death threat. The same goes for the Were-Rabbit feature film.

The thing that is different with the newest W&G offering is that it actually contains a visual murder right at the beginning of the film, and that the whole film is carried by themes of murder and psychopaths. To me this is simply tasteless. However nicely it may have been animated I can't bring myself to like A Matter of Loaf and Death.

Don't get me wrong. I do like animation films with dark themes, like Terkel in Trouble, Free Jimmy and Princess Mononoke. What I don't like is that Wallace and Gromit films are marketed at an audience of all ages while they clearly aren't suitable for the smallest children anymore. I bought the first two adventures on Laserdisc. Later I bought the three first adventures on DVD. I am not yet sure if I am going to even save this latest offering. A Matter of Loaf and Death is just not a cute little film, and if the target is to watch a psychopath killer story, I prefer The Silence of the Lambs any day.

(PS. I would really like to see the reasons why this isn't considered a useful review. Do you object with my opinion that W&G has become unnecessarily violent or do you just think that a psychopathic murderer is suitable program material for children if packaged in colourful animation?)