and the BBC took a very brief look Wallace and Gromit: Revenge of the Bird. In a clip from the stop-motion animated film, Wallace proudly reveals his latest invention, an “intelligent gnome” named Norbot. The robot aggressively shakes Gromit’s paw and introduces itself to the dog, signaling trouble ahead.
It’s a very short clip, but it’s full of charm and wit. The concept of a smart gnome as a riff on a smart home is funny in and of itself, and fits perfectly with the kind of humor that the Wallace and Gromit series is known for. Wallace encouraging Gromit to follow the footsteps of the voice-activated Norbot is a great touch, given that the beagle is famously silent.
There’s something very wrong with Norbot – the robot has a creepy design and a very mean attitude (voiced by the great Rice Shearsmith). according to The smart gnome is designed to handle any gardening task or “gnome upgrade” (heh). It proves a hit with Wallace and Gromit’s neighbors, at least until things start to go wrong in what might be cinema’s most terrifying example of artificial intelligence. Wallace and Gromit will face even more trouble as the film features the return of franchise villain Feathers McGraw.
“We’re delighted to introduce Norbot, the Nifty Odd-jobbing Robot gnome designed to help Gromit with his gardening chores,” said directors Nick Park (series creator) and Merlin Crossingham. . “The Norbot is Wallace’s proudest achievement to date and, according to Wallace, his ‘best invention ever!’ Garden gnomes have long been a part of Wallace and Gromit’s world, but it’s not just a cute patio decoration… We’re excited to see Wallace introduce his latest invention, the Norbot, to the world. However, his patient dog Gromit might be a little less confident…”
It’s almost hard to believe Wallace and Gromit: The Bird’s Revenge is only the second feature film in the franchise’s long and Oscar-filled history. It will come almost two decades later The Curse of the Rabbits.
Netflix with Aardman to bring the new Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit films to its platform a few years ago. Wallace and Gromit: The Bird’s Revenge will come to the streaming service everywhere except the UK, where it will premiere on the BBC later this year.
