MoPoshy
Absolutely brilliant
Twilightfa
Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.
Yash Wade
Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.
Brenda
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
bbaki-15022
Claymation always had an important spot in my heart since my childhood;
either being on television - other Wallace and Gromit shorts; Chicken
Run, etc... - or computer games - "Neverhood". So it was a pretty big
deal, when a new short was made in 2008. Unfortunately, I haven't seen
this episode since then, so it was interesting to find out how my
feelings would change since then.Needless to say, this story continues with the 'darkness' as the
previous episodes. Here, the story circles around a serial murder
mystery - while the titular heroes operate a baking company. Wallace
quickly gets in the middle of the killing spree - naturally, being
totally oblivious of it until the end, while it's up to Gromit to save
his lad.One of the biggest strength of the movie that it still kept the charm
of the older episodes. The likability of the characters hasn't changed
at all, and I watched it with the same childish grin as I used to watch
the previous episodes. Since being newer, there "should be" a trend to
put in more modern day references, but luckily, this one doesn't rely
on cheap knock-offs from other movies or events; though, there are a
still a few references as such, but it doesn't make these scenes as the
main source of laughter and actually fit into the story. Furthermore
the creators really stepped up their game, as their the expressions of
the characters are still amazing to witness, especially with Gromit.
The good old' British humour is still strong with this one, with more
subtle jokes - and not the the "fall-on-your-butt" types of jokes, but
that what we already got used to from Nick Park.One small downside, I wish the story was darker. Besides the opening
scene and the room with the mannequins - the latter being insanely
effective and scary, though - I haven't had any chills down my spine
during other scenes, like I felt almost the whole time during "The
Wrong Trousers"; Thus, the villain isn't as memorable as Feathers
McGraw; though, that's a high bar to jump over, but does bring some
effectively uneasy moments, so doesn't become totally forgettable. Other aspect I liked, was the romantic interest for Gromit. As an adult
I could relate to it more, than to Wallace's "puppy love". It just
becomes a stronger arch, because it's based on purely visuals, as the
characters don't talk, the emotions being played through their
expressions, and when we take abuse into the mix for the romantic
interest, it's also more "human", more real and more sad. Naturally, it
ends with a happy end for Gromit as well, but his story felt a little
bit more mature and more tragic.All in all, "A Matter of Loaf and Death" was a worthy possible final
episode for Wallace and Gromit, especially after the passing of Peter
Sallis. It does deliver each strengths of the series, though
not on as high level as previous episodes; the brilliant "Wrong Trousers"
will still be the best Wallace and Gromit short for me. However, the
passion, the talent and the heart of the creators and voice cast -
Peter Sallis still delivering his A-game - shine through it. It won't be as good as the previously mentioned short, still, this was a half- hour pure joy.
Leofwine_draca
A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH is a Wallace and Gromit adventure without the charm that made the Claymation shorts so endearing in the first place. This is a fast-paced, Hollywood-style adventure packed with in-jokes and scenes copied from anything and everything; the bit that most stood out for me was Gromit's misadventures with the bomb which recall the old BATMAN movie with Adam West.The main plot is a copy of THE WRONG TROUSERS with a less endearing narrative structure and unlikeable characters. The cosy British feel has gone to be replaced with breakneck action, big scenery. mannered caricatures, and set-pieces. Sure, the quality of the stop motion is still very good, but other than keeping Peter Sallis in work, this has very little to recommend it.
jasper102011
With 3 of the best and funniest short films in years and a fantastic feature length movie they where at the top of their game! This did not ruin Wallace and gromit, it just wasn't as good as the other shorts. It's problems aren't that a problem for me apart from Wallace never says cheese in the whole film!The mayor problem for me is the pop culture joke and violence because that's not Wallace and gromit. I don't hate it as some people hate it. It's totally not on par with the other shorts with its cartoon sound affects and the other stuff. A romantic girl for gromit is new and I might not like her as much in here, there could be great possibility's and the very end with their coming together. OK I am really mad at how long that bomb takes to explode, REALLY!!!!! Not the best and probably the least liked but I recommend a watch and see if you like it
jaredmobarak
Even though it debuted on British television in 2008, Nick Park's newest installment in the (mis)adventures of his claymation pals Wallace and Gromit finally hit the States last year, just in time to be nominated for an Animated Short Oscar. I never had any interest in checking the work out, no matter how fun it appeared, but relented when Curse of the Were-Rabbit was released as a feature length film. Suffice it to say, my first foray into the world was not very good as the film fell flat for me and plodded along to its end. However, now having experienced A Matter of Loaf and Death, seeing how the material works in a condensed medium, I have to admit that the result was much better. By compacting all the humor in less than thirty minutes, the warm-hearted antics of naïve and imbecilic Wallace with stoically intelligent dog Gromit really do excel.The premise is pretty stripped-down, concerning the duo in their new bakery, right in the midst of a serial killing spree of bakers. There have been twelve deaths thus far and no evidence in sight to find who is behind it all. To be honest, it doesn't take very long to discern who is the culprit, so the fun really becomes watching Wallace bumble through life and Gromit do his best to save him. Once the Bake-O-Lite singer enters the fray, the plot continues on at a quick pace, never feeling slow or unwelcome. An ex-commercial model for the brand, Piella just happens to be bicycling down the road our titular bakers are delivering bread on, door-to-door like newspapers. She loses control and speeds down a hill where Wallace puts caution to the wind to save her, eventually beginning a budding relationship that never quite seems right—especially after Gromit inspects the bike post-accident.What really makes this work succeed, besides the endearing voicework from Peter Sallis as Wallace and Sally Lindsay as Piella, are the massive amounts of sight gags. Sure it is always entertaining to watch Gromit work in his silent, but very expressive way, however, I hadn't known how subversive the comedy really was. I don't think a lot of that mature subject matter traveled across the Atlantic when the feature film was released, probably needing to tone it down a little to make it palatable to a broader audience. Being that A Matter of Loaf and Death was created specially for English television viewers, Park and company was able to keep their subtle innuendoes intact. Even those seemingly simplistic instances of bread rising and oven temperatures increasing become so much more than sheer bakery visuals when inter-cut with the blossoming romantic courtship of Wallace and Piella. It isn't as though the references are too obvious for a younger audience, but they do make it a tad more fun for the adults watching. The inclusion of a Ghost homage definitely put a smile on my face too.Completely deserving of a nomination—even though I believe it should have come last year, dealing with actual release dates rather than whenever Hollywood decides to allow us Americans to watch—Park seems to be back in the swing of things after the devastating fire that destroyed much of his clay constructed worlds at Aardman Studios. I would never suggest that he stay away from features and stick specifically to shorts, but I do believe something can be said on the subject. Perhaps Were-Rabbit just didn't have the depth to succeed, and maybe it originated as a short and later was wrongly expanded, I really don't know. Unless a plot is fleshed out that can handle the extra length, hopefully Wallace and Gromit will continue on with their adventures in small increments—staying relevant and always working their somewhat family-friendly magic.