Creature Comforts — from Aardman Animation, the same folks who brought us the delightful Wallace and Gromit — is a like-minded, documentary-style collection of animated shorts about
the secret lives of both domesticated pets and wild animals. Ever
wondered what life is like for a jaguar who misses the wide open spaces
of the wild, or the gorilla who wishes her habitat had better heating?
Fret no more — those and other questions are answered in Nick Park’s
pleasantly off-center series, which brings together a dozen mini-episodes
along with some other enjoyable bonus material.
Creature Comforts
began life as a short subject film released in 1990 by the
England-based Aardman Animation. Park, working with Aardman founders
Peter Lord and David Sproxton, recorded a bunch of complaints and real-life conversations of various
British citizens and worked up animals representing each doughty
character. The result was the 1990 Academy Award winner for Best
Animated Short Film. From there, Park — who would go on to craft both Chicken Run and a popular, award-winning series of Wallace and Gromit
shorts — developed a
short series of 10-minute episodes that continued to mine the
same comedic veins, told in a mockumentary format and branded with dry
subtleties characteristic of “across the pond” humor.
Leaving no stone unturned, no sea uncrossed, no tree unclimbed, Creature Comforts
takes a cheeky, first-person look at the animal kingdom from its
denizens’ points-of-view. Circus animals lift the lid on life
underneath the big top, garden dwelling slugs discuss life in the urban
turf and ponder the existence of aliens, zebras and penguins chat about zoo life, and our feathered friends
reveal the ups and downs of life in the air. The animation is again of
course of the distinctive Aardman claymation variety — all expressive
eyes, big mouths and soft, rounded features. That kids spark to Park’s
tales is unsurprising given their warm, inviting look, but that adults
respond typically just as favorably is a result of the equal and
informed attention given to story.
DVD extras on this 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation include
three featurettes and a 35-minute-plus making-of special that features interview clips with Park and many of the animators.
This shows the painstaking work that goes into these kinds of shorts
(all those expressions are the result of different heads and faces,
naturally) and really gives you an extra appreciation for this type of
animation. There’s also a longer version of the “Merry Christmas Everybody!” episode available separately as well, bargain priced at $9.95. A- (Show) B+ (Disc)