Creature Comforts: Part One DVD Review

The contents of the disc have been formatted to a 16:9 ratio and generally speaking the picture quality is good. It is not perfect but I feel given its origins and subject material, it is somewhat churlish to compare it to Hollywood offerings. Suffice it to say it is more than acceptable, and unlikely to upset all but the most ardent videophiles. The exception to this is the Oscar Winning Short within the extra's, which is showing it's age with print damage and other nasties.

Offered with a 2 channel (192kbs) Dolby Digital track (and obviously a stereo PCM layer) which does not include a Pro-logic flag. This is a purely functional and perfectly acceptable soundtrack, with dialogue and effects perfectly discernible. No doubt you will all know which buttons to press to engage any additional speakers you wish to bring to the party.

As a single disc release, the extras are somewhat limited. I am however, not sure how much plasticine modelling I could stand to watch anyway.

Firstly there is a 24-minute feature - Creating Creature Comforts, which concentrates on the incredible amount of work that that goes into each characters profile, design, motion, voicing etc. This is equally laborious as any of the animation and camera work.

Next is a 4 minute short - Bringing Creature Comforts to Life. This details the Director, who is filmed acting to the dialogue to give the animators a "template" of the how the creatures are to move.

An interactive game - Who's Missing will be fun for the younger viewers and the 5-minute Oscar Winning short is also included and will be known to most.

There are two, 2-minute promo's, one showing the Wallace and Gromit in Project Zoo console game and the second a trailer for this DVD and Video release. Lastly there are some DVD-ROM additions to include, wallpapers, screensavers, plastic surgery for pets and colonic irrigation for snakes.
If you enjoy the Aardman take on humour then this is a must. You will neither find American Pie style laughs, nor a surround sound spectacle here. You will find warm and gentle humour borne of characterisation and the keenest observation of every day life. Most heartily recommended.