Wallace and Gromit: A Grand Day Out (1989)

4 Stars (out of 4)

Saying Cheese

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Wallace and Gromit: A Grand Day Out on DVD

This is the first, and my favorite, of the three clay-animated "Wallace and Gromit" shorts. It's the most laid-back with the best use of long pauses and quiet spaces, and it's also the most dryly imaginative. It begins as inventor Wallace and the speechless, but highly intelligent Gromit try to decide where to go on their annual holiday. When Wallace discovers that they're out cheese, their decision is made: they'll go to the moon. They build a spaceship in the garage (apparently made partly out of wood, since they're seen doing some sawing) and take off. The moon cheese tastes sort of funny, but things get really weird when a lonely robot comes back to life. The film was nominated for a Best Animated Short Oscar, but Park lost to himself! His other masterpiece, Creature Comforts, was the winner. Lionsgate has re-released the three Wallace and Gromit shorts on three separate DVDs, priced at a mere $10 each. Park provides a commentary track for each, and each one has a bonus "making-of" short. (See also The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave.)