Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
Wallace's whirlwind romance with the proprietor of the local wool shop puts his head in a spin, and Gromit is framed for sheep-rustling in a fiendish criminal plot.
A Close Shave is a masterclass in Aardman's claymation craft — the stop-motion work is jaw-dropping in its detail and fluidity, earning a rare top mark for cinematography. The plot is a brilliantly layered noir parody with genuine tension, clever misdirection, and emotional stakes rare for a short animated film. Novelty is sky-high: Nick Park's Wallace and Gromit universe is utterly singular in voice, wit, and execution, and this entry represents the form at its peak. The acting (voice performances and physical 'performance' of the clay figures) is warm and characterful, if not the most demanding work. The ending, while satisfying and crowd-pleasing, leans into tidy resolution without the extra punch that would make it truly exceptional — the weakest link in an otherwise outstanding short.