Shaun The Sheep

Shaun the Sheep is a spin-off from the popular British stop-motion animation show Wallace and Gromit. This one of a kind, smart, and loveable sheep burst on to the small screen nearly twenty years ago in the short “A Close Shave.” Winning the hearts of millions, it’s no surprise a movie was in the works.

This film starts off with a silent monologue of how Shaun, the rest of flock of sheep, and Bitzer, the loyal and always “by the book” sheepdog, came to live with the Farmer. Fast forward a few years, sick and tired of the redundant life of waking up early, being herded throughout the farm, shaved, and fed the same food every day, Shaun brilliantly devises a plan to give him and the flock the day off. Unfortunately, the plan of tricking the Farmer to fall asleep in an RV trailer goes awry when the trailer wriggles loose from its tire wedges sending the Farmer off on an out of control trip and ending up in the Big City with amnesia. Stuck on the Farm with no one to tend to their needs, the Sheep and Bitzer panic and set off to the Big City to bring the Farmer back home. And, so begins the adventure into unchartered territory.

It’s remarkable that a movie with no dialogue manages to convey so many messages and emotions-from anger, comic relief, sadness to gratitude and joy. My hats go off to writer-director duo, Mark Burton and Richard Starzak, and the rest of the animation team for paying such wonderful attention to detail with the characters, the vibrant scenery, and also being on point with the comedic timing.

Every generation will love this movie and it definitely proves that silence is golden.

4 out 5 stars

Second Review By Jennifer Fiduccia

 

The new movie Shaun the Sheep is a fast paced, quick witted, fun family movie.


My son (almost 7) discovered the cartoon on Netflix, and was excited to go see the movie, when he saw the previews.
There is no actual dialog in the movie, rather, everything is acted out in gestures, facial expression, and the occasional unintelligible mutter. Even with no actual words being spoken, the movie is easy to follow and full of jokes that made the adults in the audience laugh out loud.
It’s same old same old same old on the farm and Shaun (the sheep) decides he wants to have a bit of a change from the dreary day to day happenings of farm life.
Hatching an elaborate plan to get Farmer out of the way for the day, his plan goes wildly awry and Shaun must chase Farmer (who is sleeping in the run away travel trailer!!) to the big city to try and save him.
Shaun tells the rest of the farm friends to STAY PUT, but of course, they do not listen.
It’s a funny story with new friendships and enemies made, rescues and mishaps, and a few ‘sort of’ sad points.
I liked it a lot and thought it was well done with just the right amount of adult humor that went over the kids heads yet let the adults be involved and engaged, and kept the kids laughing too.
It’s a great family movie, and I would recommend seeing it.
I would give the movie 4 out of 5 stars.