Shaun the Sheep: Starring Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Omid Djalili. Directed by Mark Burton & Richard Starzak. Rated G. 85 mins
Reviewed by Liam Webb
A STAPLE of kids’ entertainment since his inception in 2007, Shaun the Sheep has finally made the leap from the silver screen to the red carpet in Shaun the Sheep Movie.
Shaun is the same mischievous sheep as always, living with his flock on Mossy Bottom Farm under the token supervision of The Farmer and his well meaning but inept sheepdog Bitzer.
Despite Shaun’s regular adventures, life at the farm has got in a bit of a rut, and Shaun concocts a master plan – to get a day off.
For all Shaun’s good intentions, events rapidly get out of control and the “day off” ends up landing The Farmer in the Big City with memory loss.
Shaun and the flock have no choice but to leave the farm for the first time and go to his rescue.
But can they avoid detection long enough to rescue The Farmer and escape before they are caught by by the dreaded animal catcher?
Genuinely child-friendly movies are hard to come, but Shaun the Sheep Movie does an excellent job of keeping the innocence and lightheartedness of the TV series while also appealing to the parents who will inevitably also make up a large part of the audience.
The simple plot has just enough twists to keep it interesting but not over complicated, and there are plenty of laugh out loud moments.
Aardman Animations’ technical mastery shines in the familiar setting of Mossy Bottom Farm, as well as the incredibly complex sets of the Big City.
In all, Shaun the Sheep Movie is an enjoyable, fun and relaxing family film, and I would highly recommend it as such.
Liam Webb is the advertising officer of The Catholic Leader.
