Film Review: WALLACE & GROMIT: THE WRONG TROUSERS (1993)

A.K.A.: WALLACE AND GROMIT IN THE WRONG TROUSERS

Director: Nick Park
Writers: Nick Park, Bob Baker and Brian Sibley (additional contributions)
Running Time: 30 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Animation/Short/Comedy
UK Release Date: 26^th December 1993 (TV Premiere).

Watched on Sky+ Monday 9^th April 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having been hooked on the work of the Aardman studio since their first short ‘A Grand Day Out’ (1989), I was intrigued to see their second short at Christmas in 1993. Of course I’ve seen it many times since, but I thought I’d share my views on this excellent piece of work. It should come as no surprise that I like it (a lot) and it rates, along with ‘A Grand Day Out’, among my favourite animated films. I’ll give you a short critique after this brief summary.

It’s Gromit’s birthday and he’s feeling under-appreciated. Wallace has not only bought him a collar and lead, but also some ‘Techno-Trousers’ from NASA. Programmable so Gromit can go for walkies any time… Of course, Gromit isn’t exactly enthralled by the idea. On top of that, times are hard and Wallace has decided to let out a room. Unfortunately the tenant, a penguin, decides Gromit’s room is more to his taste and has also endeared himself to Wallace. Suspecting there’s something suspicious about this stranger, Gromit follows him and he discovers there is much more to this penguin than meets the eye… I will leave it there or the Spoiler Police will have me strapped into the wrong trousers (again).

Again brilliantly animated with all the little subtle touches that make Aardman films so great! Of course Peter Sallis does his usual excellent job of voicing Wallace. The plot is more complicated than the first film and it shows the ambition of the studio to progress. Some of the ideas are really crazy, but they work so well in this medium. For me, not quite as good as ‘A Grand Day Out’, but a very close second… HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My Score: 9.2/10

IMDb Score: 8.5/10 (based on 27,036 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0108598/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 100/100 (based on 25 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 89/100 (based on 19,727 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wallace_and_gromit_the_wrong_trousers/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Wallace: Cracking toast, Gromit!

Wallace: They're techno-trousers, ex-NASA, fantastic for walkies!

Wallace: It's the wrong trousers Gromit, and they've gone wrong!

Wallace: No more lodgers - more trouble than they're worth!

[last lines]
Wallace: Ah, but I do like a bit of gorgonzola!

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Aardman Site: http://www.aardman.com/
Trailer (fan made):