Since bursting onto the scene with Nick Park’s stop-motion masterpiece A Grand Day Out in 1989, Wallace & Gromit has carved a unique place in animation history. Blending British humor, absurd inventions, and themes of loyal friendship, the series has spanned short films to an Oscar-winning feature (The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, 2005). The latest addition, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024), is now streaming on Netflix.
Far from relying solely on nostalgia, the film shines as one of 2024’s brightest comedies, earning a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Feathers McGraw’s Revenge
First introduced in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers, the silent, chicken-disguised penguin Feathers McGraw returns. This criminal mastermind, whose life revolves around Wallace’s inventions, hijacks Wallace’s latest creation—a garden gnome robot named Norbot—unleashing chaos. Gromit’s suspicions prove right once again, while Wallace unwittingly finds himself at the heart of the crime.
Humor, Action, and British Charm
Vengeance Most Fowl retains the classic Wallace & Gromit tone: no guns, no violence, just wellies, porridge, and dough balls. The climactic slow-moving boat chase on a tranquil stream turns even the calmest action into pure fun. Aardman Animations preserves the magic of 20 years ago without altering a single detail of the character designs.
Why Watch It?
- Timeless Humor: The blend of English countryside tranquility and absurd inventions feels as fresh as ever.
- Iconic Villain: Feathers McGraw, with his expressionless face, rivals James Bond villains in cunning.
- Short and Sweet: At 79 minutes, it’s shorter than many series episodes but far more satisfying.
- Critical Acclaim: All 137 critics gave positive reviews—a near-impossible feat.
Rediscovery on Netflix
With a limited theatrical release in the US, the film found a global audience through Netflix. For viewers unaware of its existence, Vengeance Most Fowl is both a nostalgic trip down memory lane and a delightful introduction for new generations to this charming animated world.
The Wallace & Gromit universe remains a timeless meeting point of comedy and stop-motion. If you haven’t seen it yet, now’s the perfect time to discover this “most entertaining revenge story” on Netflix.
