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During the summer 2000, Aardman Studios released Chicken Run, its first full-length motion picture, and both audiences and critics responded with lavish accolades. But despite the undeniable success of the Chicken Run feature, Aardman Studios' most notable cinematic achievements have actually come in the form of the short film. In particular, the shorts starring Wallace and Gromit—Aardman's irrepressible Plasticine duo—are widely recognized as ideal examples of superb animated filmmaking. That said, EFS is excited to be offering Wallace and Gromit: The Best of Aardman Animation, a compilation that includes nine of the studio's funniest and most imaginative films. The eight lesser-known shorts wonderfully demonstrate the wit and creativity of Aardman Studios, but as the title suggests, the centerpiece of the anthology is a short film featuring Wallace and Gromit.
A Close Shave is the second of the three Wallace and Gromit pictures, and it won an Academy Award for "Best Animated Short Film" when it was released in 1996. For those not familiar with this first-rate comedic duo, Wallace is an amicable, cheese-loving bloke who likes taking part in the occasional adventure, and Gromit is Wallace's shrewd but quiet canine companion. A Close Shave follows Wallace as he encounters and eventually falls in love with Wendolene, a local textile shop owner. Wallace and Wendolene's fledgling relationship is burdened, however, when Gromit is jailed for sheep rustling—a crime he did not commit. Wallace and Wendolene set out to free Gromit, and, as the story hastens to its conclusion, the truth behind the heinous rash of sheep-related offenses is gradually revealed. With its abundance of visual puns, unique characters, and incredibly detailed animation, Wallace and Gromit: The Best of Aardman Animation is a perfect cinematic anthology for anyone who enjoys clever, light-hearted comedy.
For more information about Wallace and Gromit or Aardman Studios,
check out the official web site