Wallace and Gromit have become such endearing and real characters to so many that no one thinks of them as mere clay figures anymore. What Mr. Park and company have done with the dotty old inventor and his smart, silent dog is nothing short of miraculous. I think what makes them so attractive to legions of fans is their (and their friends') kindness and gentleness (untainted by an insincere and saccharine sentimentality that tends to mar Disney's "good" animated creatures).

I'm sure that this simply reflects the creators themselves. There might be a nostalgia for these traits today, traits that are vanishing fast in the current, dominant culture of rudeness, vanity, selfishness and greed. I say, long live Wallace and Gromit! And Nick Park! And Aardman Animations! Bravo! And may you win a most-deserved golden statue!

My first reaction, as the credits (and bunnies) rolled on "Were-Rabbit", was to turn to my companion and say, "I want to take every movie executive in Hollywood and force them to watch this film, over and over, until they get it. This is what a movie should look like. This is what art looks like. This is what a labour of love looks like. Now get back to your studios, cancel the latest Michael Bay travesty, and start making films that enrich the world simply by existing."

I meant it then, and I mean it now. Hollywood, are you listening? Nick Park is a true storyteller. Learn to speak truth, or shut the hell up so we can hear him more clearly.