'Wallace & Gromit' spoof expands delight on DVD

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Two of yours truly's fave animated characters make their feature-film debut in the witty horror-movie spoof Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, new this week from DreamWorks Home Entertainment ($29.99). It's our ...

DVD pick of the week

After impressing audiences in acclaimed shorts like "A Close Shave," "A Grand Day Out" and "The Wrong Trousers" (available in the DreamWorks collection "Wallace & Gromit in Three Amazing Adventures"), Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis), a cheese-loving bachelor inventor, and Gromit, his silent but brainy dog, succeed in carrying this lively 85-minute romp.

Here, the Claymation duo operate the "Anti-Pesto" pest-control agency, specializing in humanely ridding their small English town of the rabbits that threaten the burg's gala annual Giant Vegetable Competition.

Unfortunately, one of Wallace's new inventions goes awry, transmogrifying him into the destructive titular were-rabbit while an actual bunny takes on his original personality. This dire turn of events naturally upsets Lady Tottington (Helena Bonham Carter), who sponsors the veggie contest, while spurring her villainous would-be suitor Victor Quatermaine (Ralph Fiennes) to terminate the outsized furry fiend.

Creator Nick Park, co-director Steve Box and co-writers Bob Baker and Mark Burton cleverly send up old-school werewolf-movie tropes — spooky transformation scenes, a doomsaying vicar (Nicholas Smith), your requisite mob of angry villagers, etc., while staying true to their core characters' integrity, fashioning a film that provides ideal adult and children's entertainment without condescending to broad American pop-cultural tastes.

Wallace & Gromit fans who caught the movie on the big screen will still want to check out the DVD, which includes such excellent featurettes as "How Wallace & Gromit Went to Hollywood," "Behind the Scenes of the Curse of the Were-Rabbit" and "Studio Tour," plus the surreal bonus short "Stage Fright," deleted scenes and an audio commentary by Mr. Park and Mr. Box, for a whole night of animated fun.

Tele-video

Vintage sitcoms head the latest list of TV-on-DVD releases. Universal Studios Home Entertainment introduces Charles in Charge Season One (three-disc, $34.98) and Gimme a Break Season One (three-disc, $29.98).

Warner Home Video debuts Growing Pains: The Complete First Season (four-disc, $29.98), with a cast reunion featurette and gag reel, and Anchor Bay Entertainment bows Grounded for Life: Season 1 (four-disc, $39.98), with a wealth of extras ranging from cast and crew commentaries to new interviews.