This Animated Classic Is Packed With Movie References

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  • References From Adventure Movies Hidden in the Film
  • Other Famous References You Might Have Missed

As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for British cinema, I was absolutely delighted by the plethora of references hidden within Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Having grown up watching classics like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Dr. Strangelove, and Watership Down, it was a true joy to see these influences woven into the fabric of this beloved animated adventure.

In the year 2005, DreamWorks Animations produced the initial full-length film adaptation of the beloved British stop-motion series, Wallace & Gromit. This movie, titled “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit“, was helmed by Nick Park and Steve Box. The film gained significant acclaim globally, earning the title for Best Animated Feature Film at the 78th Academy Awards. A video game sharing the same name was also released concurrently.

In “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” I, as an ardent fan, join Wallace and his brilliant canine companion, Gromit, on a mission to safeguard the town’s precious produce from the clutches of a fearsome Were-Rabbit. Little did we know that during their efforts to hypnotize a rabbit named Hutch into detesting vegetables, Wallace inadvertently exchanged our identities! It wasn’t long before the shocking truth came to light: I, or rather, Wallace, was the Were-Rabbit terrorizing the town!

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit draws heavily from classic Hollywood films, specifically monster movies and old Gothic tales. As a result, it is filled with numerous movie references from this time period, as well as more modern ones. With so many references, it’s challenging for most viewers to identify them all during their initial or even second viewing.

Horror References You Might Have Missed

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit pays homage to classic horror films, including King Kong and The Exorcist. In the thrilling climax, Wallace transforms into the Were-Rabbit and abducts Lady Tottingham. This scene mirrors the iconic moment in King Kong when Kong ascends the Empire State Building with Ann Darrow in tow. Additionally, a subtle reference to The Exorcist is made through a statue of Pazuzu hidden in the churchyard.

After the uproar at the yearly vegetable contest in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, the townspeople assemble at the church to ponder solutions. Anxiety ensues until an elder steps forward and proposes a calming solution, quelling the commotion. This scenario mirrors the town hall meeting from Jaws (1975), where villagers panic over shark attacks before Quint presents a resolution.

Of course, the most obvious reference to discuss is from the 1941 gothic monster horror, The Wolf Man, which has been credited for the inception of the modern understanding of the werewolf. The main archetypes in The Wolf Man can be seen in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, with Wallace turning into a rabbit which takes over his mind. Also, the hunter Victor Quartermaine attempts to kill the Were-Rabbit with “24-carrot” gold, a nod to The Wolf Man, which saw silver being utilized against the monster. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit definitely did its research into the films it took inspiration from.

References From Adventure Movies Hidden in the Film

In the vein of a thrilling action movie, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit includes numerous references to this genre. One subtle homage is found when Gromit switches on the car radio, playing “Bright Eyes.” This tune is iconic from the 1978 British Adventure/Drama film, Watership Down, which shares a rabbit-centric theme.

In this upcoming adventure film, Victor Quartermaine provocatively goads Wallace into fighting by circling around him, mimicking an iconic moment from the 1975 comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” During that classic scene, the Black Knight engages King Arthur in a similar manner.

In this scene, the movie “Jurassic Park” is referenced not once, but twice in a creative way. The first nod comes from the beginning where a T. rex attacks a goat and throws it at a Jeep. This action is mirrored when a Were-Rabbit takes a bite of a carrot neon sign and spits it at a van. The second reference emerges during the sequence where Gromit struggles to keep from being sucked into a tunnel, recalling Eddie Carr’s efforts to detach the trailer by reversing.

Other Famous References You Might Have Missed

In simpler terms, this reference is a nod to a well-known moment in Dr. Strangelove (a 1964 film). During the climax between Gromit and Victor’s dog, Philip, while they’re engaged in an aerial battle, an incident occurs that evokes memories of the iconic scene. Specifically, when Gromit opens the bomb bay doors, causing Philip to fall out, viewers are often reminded of Major Kong from Dr. Strangelove, who famously rides a nuclear bomb as it plummets from a B-52 aircraft.

In the animated film “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” there are numerous film references hidden as Easter Eggs. These references may have gone unnoticed by those who weren’t very attentive. For example, the sign on the vegetable stand reads “Harvey’s,” which is a nod to the movie “Harvey” about a large rabbit. Additionally, there are film posters throughout the town, such as “Carrot on a Hot Tin Roof,” referencing the Tennessee Williams play of the same name, and “Spartichoke,” a playful reference to the 1960 film “Spartacus.” Lastly, in Wallace and Gromit’s house, there is a framed picture of Gromit graduating from Dogwarts University, an homage to the Harry Potter series.

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2024-07-15 23:01