A Matter of Loaf and Death (2010)

You won't be disappointed!

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

"A Matter of Loaf and Death" is another quality entry to the Wallace&Gromit franchise and we should be thankful to Nick Park that he added another chapter to their story, even if it was the first time that he lost at the Oscars (to Logorama). He won the BAFTA and Annie though, so it's not all bad awards-wise. When this one came out it had already been 13 years since the last Wallace&Gromit-short film. Of course, in-between was the full feature. Thankfully Peter Sallis, in his late 80s then, in his early 90s now, is reaching a Methusalem age and could once more lend his unique voice to Wallace.This film is mostly about a series of murders and the victims are all bakers. Now the problem is Wallace and Gromit have opened a bakery not too long too and when Wallace falls in love with a feisty lady (and Gromit with her posh poodle), complications arise pretty quickly. It's the usual formula of the well-written main characters accidentally being sucked into the world of crime and the outcome is a good one. The animation is tops as well, although that's pretty much a given with Park and Aardman. I think this may be my second favorite from the series. Wrong Trousers is unreached, but it's about the same league quality-wise like Grand Day out and superior to Close Shave, which I'm not really a fan of."A Matter of Loaf and Death" was Nick Park's last directorial effort to this day, but he's still at an age where we can hopefully expect a couple more chapters to the story. He's easily one of the most defining animation artists of the last 25 years and this is another excellent example.

This movie, obviously, had many improvements with the technology, the clay frame by framing, the special effects, etc. However, I feel that the plot has started to change a little from the classic stories that are simple and easy, to something with a bit more movie humor. And that isn't bad, if done correctly. But if pushed to it's limits, if movie references are taken, it starts to become more of a clique.Anyhow, the movie was still enjoyable. I feel that younger children may be scared by a few of the more intense scenes, but I wouldn't know since I'm way past that age. However, I am very impressed that the language is very mild. The violence, while intense, wasn't that terrible. Not that much blood. Just a few adult like jokes, etc.Overall a good movie, however a few of the comical movie clique jokes could have been minimized a bit.

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.

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.8/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/