Hamilton Mattress (Claymation)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B-     Extras: B-     Film: B-

 

 

Claymation seems to be holding up better than the hand-drawn type against the rise of digital, as recently witnessed by Chicken Run in 2000.  When rhythmic, likable, kind aardvark Sludger decides he wants to go to the city and to exciting things with his life besides eating ants, it is off to the bird world of Beak City with a caterpillar named Feldwick.  Determined to be a musician, he names himself after a Hamilton Mattress (2001) and it is the big time, they both hope.

 

Like Chicken Run, this is an incredibly colorful, detailed, and funny work that is remarkable for its depth and how well-thought out it is.  Like Chicken Run, this is from England, now the world capital of this art form.  The reason we do not see enough of these is that it is just picking up, and these are as hard as anything to produce and do right.  The program only runs 30 minutes, but it is as accomplished artistically as others in its field, including Wallace & Gromit (whose producer is behind this) and the cheaper, cruder Rex the Runt (reviewed elsewhere on this site).

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is pretty good, though there is still some softness in the finer detail.  Color fidelity is exceptional and diverse; a problem with many animated works in all fields, meaning it offers extreme rewatchability for kids of all ages.  Paul Smith was the main cinematographer and he deserves special mention here.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo offers healthy surrounds, though I was surprised this was not in some kind of 5.1 mix.  Extras include a commentary with the makers, and three featurettes: Making of, Birth of an Aardvark, and Behind the Voices.  With such a short running time, these were needed.

 

Despite its length, this is bound to get buzz, especially in the absence of other Claymation titles.  Barry Purves directs the already award-winner which is bound to grow and grow in reputation.  Even though the script by John Webster and Anna Farthing might be hard to get with easily at first, it is well thought out.  In Hamilton Mattress, a new kid’s favorite may have arrived.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo