Is Preston the dog too scary for a 4-year-old?

He can be. He's a large, growling mechanical dog with a bit of a 'Terminator' reveal later on. If your kid is sensitive to aggressive animals, maybe pre-watch the last 10 minutes.

Do I need to watch the previous shorts first?

Nope. While A Grand Day Out and The Wrong Trousers are great, A Close Shave stands completely on its own.

How long is the actual movie?

It's a short film, clocking in at just about 30 minutes. It's the perfect length for a quick family watch without the commitment of a 2-hour feature.

Is the humor too British for American kids?

Not at all. While the setting is very Northern English, the comedy is primarily visual and slapstick, which translates perfectly to any kid anywhere.

A Close Shave – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

A Close Shave

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1996

94%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

A sheep-rustling conspiracy, a Rube Goldberg porridge machine, and the debut of Shaun the Sheep. Claymation at its absolute peak.

100%

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A Close Shave

movie

G, 1996

94%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

A sheep-rustling conspiracy, a Rube Goldberg porridge machine, and the debut of Shaun the Sheep. Claymation at its absolute peak.

100%

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Screenwise Verdict

A Close Shave is 30 minutes of pure, concentrated cinematic joy. Unlike a lot of mid-90s media that feels dated or 'slow' to kids raised on YouTube pacing, the tactile nature of Aardman’s claymation and the density of the visual gags keep it fresh.

It’s the rare 'classic' that requires zero qualifiers. You don't have to tell your kid 'bear with it, it's from the olden days.' It just works. If you haven't introduced your household to Wallace and Gromit yet, this is arguably the strongest entry point.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 5 and up. Adults will appreciate the Hitchcockian homages, while kids will just love the sheep on motorcycles.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The core of the story is the unbreakable bond between a man and his dog. It models loyalty and justice without being preachy.

Imaginative

The Rube Goldberg machines (like the porridge-firing breakfast device) and the sheer craft of stop-motion animation are peak creativity.

Safe

Extremely safe, though Preston the robot dog can be genuinely menacing for very young or sensitive toddlers.

Enriching

It's a masterclass in visual storytelling and engineering-centric humor that encourages kids to look at how things are built.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Visual genius in the stop-motion animation that still looks better than most modern CGI.
Shaun the Sheep's origin story, which is a must-watch for any kid who likes the spin-off series.
Genuinely funny slapstick that works for both a 5-year-old and a 45-year-old.
Short runtime makes it the perfect 'one more thing before bed' choice that won't wreck the schedule.

⚠

What to Watch For

Preston, the villainous robot dog, has a 'Terminator' vibe toward the end that might be a bit much for very young kids who are scared of aggressive dogs.
Gromit spends a portion of the film in a prison cell after being framed, which could be a little sad for sensitive viewers.

Conversation Starters

"Why does Wallace always trust the wrong people while Gromit has to do the heavy lifting?"
"If you could build a machine to do one chore for you, like the porridge machine, what would it be?"
"Do you think Preston was born bad, or was he just programmed that way?"
"How long do you think it took them to move the clay for just one second of the movie?"

Deep Dive

The Tactile Magic of Aardman

In a world of slick, frictionless CGI, there is something deeply satisfying about A Close Shave. You can see the thumbprints in the clay. That physical reality makes the high-stakes action—like a sidecar motorcycle chase involving a plane made of wood and wool—feel weirdly grounded.

This film also introduced the world to Shaun the Sheep, who eventually became a titan of kid culture in his own right. Seeing his 'humble' beginnings as a stray who accidentally gets a haircut from the Knit-o-matic is a treat for fans of the later series.

Why it holds up

Most kids' movies from 1995 feel like museum pieces now. A Close Shave avoids this because it doesn't rely on pop-culture references or '90s 'tude.' It relies on silent-film era physical comedy and brilliant character design. Gromit is one of the most expressive characters in film history, and he doesn't have a mouth. Watching him roll his eyes at Wallace’s latest invention is a universal language that kids pick up on instantly.

"The humor is still grand and consistent, the imaginative sequences are lovable, and the pacing is perfect."

If you're looking for a way to steer your kids toward 'quality' without them feeling like they're being fed educational vegetables, this is the silver bullet. It’s high art that feels like a Saturday morning cartoon.

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