Watch A Close Shave For Free

Redundant and unnecessary.

Memorable, crazy movie

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

This was my first Wallace and Gromit film short and by the looks of other reviewers here, it might be I picked the best of the bunch to start with. I thought it entertaining enough but don't think it merits it's high rating on IMDb. What I look for in animated films are the sight gags and clever one liners, so I got a kick out of Gromit reading 'Crime and Punishment' by Fido Dogstoyevsky. Once freed from jail, Gromit takes on the appearance of Snoopy in the cockpit of the Sopwith Camel when he takes to the skies to free the sheep. But to get arrested for killing sheep in the first place, well that's a bit hard to take for a canine cartoon hero. What fascinates me most about the picture is that it's done in Claymation, which requires the utmost patience and precision to make the picture flow so evenly. To be honest, I would not have selected this film to watch on my own, but it appears on an IMDb Top 250 list as I work my way back through the years of collecting the data. I'll also be watching the two earlier W&G selections as well, but for me it's more of a completist exercise to watch and review all the top rated movies. This short convinces me that IMDb ultimately made the right decision to limit their Top 250 to live action and feature length animated movies.

Cracking film! What a film! The film is amazing and funny. Very British. People who can't understand the accent and says its Canadian, are just dumb. Like come on, the film's set in England, does not take a Wallace to figure out where the film is set. Aside from the stupid people who don't know what they are on about. The film is amazing. Watched it for the first time in about 7 years and still laughed at the quirky British jokes. Well done Ardman. I would recommend this film to anyone who wants to see a good British film and not see some Hugh Grant RomCom that's dated so badly its funny."It's poetry in motion" - Daniel Coombs

The final part of the original Wallace & Gromit trilogy. A Close Shave packs the charm, humour and love that we had for the previous two in an all new adventure. This third part gives us a shift in tone and change of theme, briefly delving into horror and thriller elements (intended as a parody) while retaining its comedic and childish subject matter. The story follows Wallace's latest line of business, window-cleaning and his collection of quirky new inventions. While on a job he meets Wendoline, a local shop- keeper in which the two become very attached, and also her mysterious and silent pet dog, Preston. Gromit, instantly becoming suspicious of Preston begins to investigate him after a sheep, escaped the previous night from the truck he was driving and broke into their home. Gromit is then later framed by Preston for being a sheep killer and is imprisoned for life. Separating him from Wallace in a similarly emotional scene to The Wrong Trousers. After Wallace with the help of the escaped sheep (Shaun) bust out Gromit and later come across Preston and Wendoline in a field, sheep- rustling they chase them down before Wallace and Wendoline become trapped and leaving Shaun and Gromit to save the day. After a final showdown, the film closes with Wendoline and Wallace parting ways (after humorously she dislikes cheese. Also noting she isn't a good fit due to her criminal behaviour.) While A Close Shave is generally a family-friendly and fun film to all to enjoy. Unlike it's predecessor it does have a few flaws. The first being too many sub- plots which seem to overcrowd the story, leaving to scenes such as Wendoline and Wallace's relationship and Gromit's imprisonment feeling rushed and under developed. Furthermore, the final showdown between Preston and Gromit felt underwhelming, making Preston's intimidating and dominating presence feel diminished. However, A Close Shave definitely deserves praise for its shift into darker themes while keeping it's childish humour and wit, as well as the introduction of more beloved characters such as Shaun the Sheep. 8/10

You can't really go wrong with Wallace and Gromit, and A Close Shave is no exception. The hilariously traditional Yorkshire duo are running a window-washing business that one day leads them to a wool shop run by a bizarre-looking British woman who immediately wins Wallace's heart, despite a deep sadness behind her eyes and a vicious-looking dog. It should be noted, by the way, that the makers of this short movie have succeeded in giving a claymation character deeply sad eyes. This alone might have been reason enough for why it won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. While Wallace follows his helplessly stolen heart, Gromit finds himself framed for a mysterious sheep-stealing and killing scheme and is thrown in prison. An adventure follows that could only exist in a Wallace and Gromit film and includes, among other things, a hilarious truck/motorcycle chase with the help of an incredibly coordinated flock of helpful sheep. Enjoy!