One of my all time favorites.

It is a performances centric movie

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Claymation always had an important spot in my heart since my childhood; either being on television - other Wallace and Gromit shorts; Chicken Run, etc... - or computer games - "Neverhood". So it was a pretty big deal, when a new short was made in 2008. Unfortunately, I haven't seen this episode since then, so it was interesting to find out how my feelings would change since then.Needless to say, this story continues with the 'darkness' as the previous episodes. Here, the story circles around a serial murder mystery - while the titular heroes operate a baking company. Wallace quickly gets in the middle of the killing spree - naturally, being totally oblivious of it until the end, while it's up to Gromit to save his lad.One of the biggest strength of the movie that it still kept the charm of the older episodes. The likability of the characters hasn't changed at all, and I watched it with the same childish grin as I used to watch the previous episodes. Since being newer, there "should be" a trend to put in more modern day references, but luckily, this one doesn't rely on cheap knock-offs from other movies or events; though, there are a still a few references as such, but it doesn't make these scenes as the main source of laughter and actually fit into the story. Furthermore the creators really stepped up their game, as their the expressions of the characters are still amazing to witness, especially with Gromit. The good old' British humour is still strong with this one, with more subtle jokes - and not the the "fall-on-your-butt" types of jokes, but that what we already got used to from Nick Park.One small downside, I wish the story was darker. Besides the opening scene and the room with the mannequins - the latter being insanely effective and scary, though - I haven't had any chills down my spine during other scenes, like I felt almost the whole time during "The Wrong Trousers"; Thus, the villain isn't as memorable as Feathers McGraw; though, that's a high bar to jump over, but does bring some effectively uneasy moments, so doesn't become totally forgettable. Other aspect I liked, was the romantic interest for Gromit. As an adult I could relate to it more, than to Wallace's "puppy love". It just becomes a stronger arch, because it's based on purely visuals, as the characters don't talk, the emotions being played through their expressions, and when we take abuse into the mix for the romantic interest, it's also more "human", more real and more sad. Naturally, it ends with a happy end for Gromit as well, but his story felt a little bit more mature and more tragic.All in all, "A Matter of Loaf and Death" was a worthy possible final episode for Wallace and Gromit, especially after the passing of Peter Sallis. It does deliver each strengths of the series, though not on as high level as previous episodes; the brilliant "Wrong Trousers" will still be the best Wallace and Gromit short for me. However, the passion, the talent and the heart of the creators and voice cast - Peter Sallis still delivering his A-game - shine through it. It won't be as good as the previously mentioned short, still, this was a half- hour pure joy.

A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH is a Wallace and Gromit adventure without the charm that made the Claymation shorts so endearing in the first place. This is a fast-paced, Hollywood-style adventure packed with in-jokes and scenes copied from anything and everything; the bit that most stood out for me was Gromit's misadventures with the bomb which recall the old BATMAN movie with Adam West.The main plot is a copy of THE WRONG TROUSERS with a less endearing narrative structure and unlikeable characters. The cosy British feel has gone to be replaced with breakneck action, big scenery. mannered caricatures, and set-pieces. Sure, the quality of the stop motion is still very good, but other than keeping Peter Sallis in work, this has very little to recommend it.

This short was nominated for an Academy Award. There will be spoilers ahead: Much will be familiar to you if you've seen many of the shorts and/or the feature starring Wallace and Gromit. Wallace is still Wallace and Gromit is called on once again to save the day.Our heroes are now running a bakery, with Gromit doing most of the work and Wallace being, well, Wallace. A dozen bakers have been murdered by the time Wallace and Gromit enter the short and the killer is looking to make it a "baker's dozen" with Wallace the next in line.The killer is obvious to the audience, Gromit, everyone but Wallace. Much of the short is devoted to Gromit trying to save Wallace and Wallace doing everything to make Gromit's task harder, albeit unwittingly (of course, much of what Wallace does is unwitting).This time out, Gromit develops a love interest, someone worthy of him. That's an interesting subplot which unfolds over time. The ending of the short is great and perfect, although the sample of Gromit's musical tastes given to the audience leaves much to be desired.This is available on DVD and is well worth watching. Most recommended.

"A Matter of Loaf and Death" is another quality entry to the Wallace&Gromit franchise and we should be thankful to Nick Park that he added another chapter to their story, even if it was the first time that he lost at the Oscars (to Logorama). He won the BAFTA and Annie though, so it's not all bad awards-wise. When this one came out it had already been 13 years since the last Wallace&Gromit-short film. Of course, in-between was the full feature. Thankfully Peter Sallis, in his late 80s then, in his early 90s now, is reaching a Methusalem age and could once more lend his unique voice to Wallace.This film is mostly about a series of murders and the victims are all bakers. Now the problem is Wallace and Gromit have opened a bakery not too long too and when Wallace falls in love with a feisty lady (and Gromit with her posh poodle), complications arise pretty quickly. It's the usual formula of the well-written main characters accidentally being sucked into the world of crime and the outcome is a good one. The animation is tops as well, although that's pretty much a given with Park and Aardman. I think this may be my second favorite from the series. Wrong Trousers is unreached, but it's about the same league quality-wise like Grand Day out and superior to Close Shave, which I'm not really a fan of."A Matter of Loaf and Death" was Nick Park's last directorial effort to this day, but he's still at an age where we can hopefully expect a couple more chapters to the story. He's easily one of the most defining animation artists of the last 25 years and this is another excellent example.