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Director: Izabela Plucińska
Release date: November 8, 2009
Rating: ★★
Review:
Based on a picture book from 1993 ‘Esterhazy’ is clay animation film in which a Viennese, supposedly aristocratic young rabbit is sent by his grandfather to Berlin to find a rabbit paradise behind the Berlin wall (which apparently really existed). Thus he gets caught in the world event of the fall of the Berlin wall, much to his own dismay.
‘Esterhazy’ mixes clay animation with after effects, and is especially noticeable for its background art, which is also made in clay. Unfortunately, the film is overlong and rather aimless, and progresses at a slow speed. Unlike his Berliner brethren Esterhazy himself is very anthropomorphized and clearly capable of communicating and socializing with humans. At the same time he gets locked up and is sold as a pet. This unclear anthropomorphization of the main character further hampers the film, as does its rather dark lighting, in which quite a bit of the action gets lost. The best part may be the composition of the invitation Esterhazy sends in the end.
Watch ‘Esterhazy’ yourself and tell me what you think:
‘Esterhazy’ is available on the DVD box set ‘The Animation Show of Shows Box Set 9’
Directors: Nick Park & Steve Box
Release Date: September 4, 2005
Stars: Wallace & Gromit
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
After three excellent two-reelers British animation heroes Wallace and Gromit were ready for their first feature film.
‘The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’ elaborates primarily on the themes of ‘A Close Shave‘: love and horror. This time Wallace and Gromit are after a giant rabbit threatening the crops breeds for a vegetable contest in the village.
The stop motion animation in this film is practically flawless, elevating the century old technique to the highest standards possible. Indeed, both this film and ‘Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride‘, another stop motion film, were far superior to any computer animated feature film released in 2005 or 2006.
‘The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’ is not only a great animation film, it is great cinema, with excellent camera work, a flawless story, wonderful characterization and lean storytelling that builds to a spectacular climax. Especially the animation of Gromit is stunning, because his acting is completely silent throughout the picture and uses only the eyes to suggest emotion.
Watch ‘Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’ yourself and tell me what you think:
Dr. Grob's Animation Review 