 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death
- Review Date: September 17, 2009
- NR
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Always-charming claymation duo mix murder with romance.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this British claymation movie delves into some darker themes, but with slapstick humor and even a bit of pathos. One main character gets involved with a deceptive love interest while the other hunts for a serial killer. In an attempt to fight off the killer, the main characters endure tense moments, including being kidnapped and threatened by a bomb.
What's the story?
Hapless Wallace and his trusty but silent dog Gromit have started a bread-baking business, employing their trademark gadgets to help knead and bake the bread. When fellow bakers start turning up dead and Wallace meets the charming, if controlling Piella Bakewell, Gromit begins to investigate the mysterious woman. Perpetually oblivious, Wallace becomes infatuated with the zaftig lady while Gromit gets to the bottom of the murder mystery, but not before being muzzled, kidnapped, and threatened with a bomb. In the end, it's Gromit who finds a mate, instead of Wallace.
Is it any good?
Like other offerings from director Nick Park, this movie's offbeat and dark humor sets it apart from other more mainstream titles. The wild contraptions, unlikely capers, and death-defying stunts make for a high-energy, witty comedy with quirky details that can appeal to both adults and children. A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH tips its hat to classic noir films, beginning with the opening scene where a mysterious attacker sneaks up behind a clueless baker and dispatches the man with a swift (offscreen) whack to the head. Fans of Wallace and Gromit's other work will find this movie chock full of the usual quirky humor, like Wallace's appreciation for the tea Gromit poured from the nozzle of a gas pump: "Lovely cuppa, Gromit. But with a slight diesel-ly aftertaste." However, some of the less obvious concepts in the film might trouble more sophisticated viewers, like the murderer's motive -- resentment toward bakers for weight gain.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about being pressured to make poor choices. Why did Piella Bakewell's dog turn against her? Why do you think she stayed with Piella in the first place?
Families with older children can talk about media images of women. Why did Piella get fired from her job as a spokesperson? Do you think that kind of thing happens in real life? If so, why?
Families can talk about gadgets. What kind of gadgets do you wish you had in your house? Have you ever invented anything?
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- Teens & kids
Parent of 4 and 9 year old
July 25, 2010
AGE
A murder in a kids' film?
My family and I started to watch this movie together and had to turn it off due to scariness and the murder that happens in the opening scene. My son is 4 and daughter is 9. My 4 year old was really upset about the deaths of the bakers. My 9 year old knew that it wasn't right to be showing someone getting murdered. We usually LOVE Wallace and Gromit but were very disappointed by this DVD.
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Parent of 3 and 6 year old
October 8, 2009
AGE
More Violent, Still Funny
If you have been a fan of Wallace & Gromit before this you know that there tends to be a lot of slapstick style comedy. This short however takes a turn to the very dark, opening with a murder and ending (for the first time I recall) with the death of the villain. It is much scarier for kids than their previous work. In the making of feature, the producers talked about taking on a more noir style in this film and it shows. I'd be very cautious about showing this to younger kids. The previous 3 Wallace & Gromit shorts are a much safer bet.
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Parent of 14 and 19 year old
October 8, 2009
AGE
I liked it!
I love Wallace and Gromit but I found this entry in the series somewhat lacking. It wasn't as funny as previous films and was more sexual than any of them (I found that disturbing). There's nothing wrong with romance, but there were 4-5 direct references to sex that I can remember.
That being said, I liked it, the worst Wallace and Gromit is still miles above most other kids movies in terms of creativity and just fun.
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Kid, 7 years old
December 30, 2010
AGE
I liked it but me and my 5 year old brother were kinda scared
I am 7. My 5 year old brother told me he was pretty scared. He was he was. Well, I kinda liked the part where Wallace was hanging on the light over piella's bed. I like Wallace and Gromit. I like that it's made out of clay. When piella's was placing the hat on the 13th baker. I knew she was mean and Gromit found the love book, I kinda knew the rest of the movie.
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Kid, 9 years old
March 11, 2011
AGE
GOOD
yesterday on March 10th I saw movie of this and why every girl Wallace meets he flirts with
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Kid, 11 years old
March 11, 2011
AGE
An older viewer movie
This movie is a little better because it is an older-mystery type of movie. The murder of the chefs can get spooky. This work by Aardman is really funny for 9 and up.
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| Studio: | Lionsgate |
| Director: | Nick Park |
| Cast: | Peter Sallis |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 87 minutes |
| DVD release date: | September 22, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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