Review of Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015) by Nima S — 05 Aug 2015

Shaun the Sheep is the big-screen adaptation of the long-running Aardman stop motion animated show. The studio once again manages to create innocent laughter and smiles on all our faces and it is an absolute fun time at the movies. The title character of this hilarious animated feature, whose name is a pun on the word shorn, first appeared in the Wallace and Gromit short film A Close Shave (1995). The mischievous sheep was given his own television show in 2007 and like this film it doesn't have a word of dialogue. Just like Jim Henson's Muppets, these stop-motion figures are effortlessly entertaining and are better performers than most actors working today!

In keeping with its bright and positive visual style, the plot is simple and to the point. The movie begins with Shaun (Justin Fletcher) living in the barnyard with his sheep mates. One day, he decides to take the day off and have some fun, but he gets a little more action than he bargained for. A mix up with the Farmer (John Sparkes), a caravan and a very steep hill lead them all to the Big City and it's up to Shaun and the flock to return everyone safely to the green grass of home.

The action never stops and the pacing never slows down. This is a rare silent film that owes a lot to Roald Dahl and the best of Chaplin, packed with gags and visual ideas. It stands on it's own as a movie and knowing anything about the characters and the story beforehand is not needed. In the opening sequence, the characters and settings are clearly set with Shaun being the centre of the story. Minimal dialogue and animation gives this a unique look that represents the charming style of Aardman. The limited expressions of the sheep take place through the eyes, while mouths hilariously appear like a sidesaddle at the left or right side of their faces. The lack of dialogue could be one of the reasons why the shows, and hopefully the movie, have such a universal appeal.

It is difficult to assume how much time and energy have been placed into creating this feature. Stop-motion relies strictly on filming movable models and sets. The advantage over the smoother, more polished CGI is that there is no room for wastage. That means there has to be no errors and no excess, which is refreshing when modern cinema is often long, bloated and over-produced. Given how lovely the film is, the slow method of animation has certainly paid off. Some might stay away from this because of the comfort of watching the show in their homes but make no mistakes! This is a pure cinematic film that shouldn't be missed and will certainly delight children and adults alike.