Popcorn Picks: Shaun the Sheep Movie

Shaun the fun-loving sheep, of Wallace and Gromit fame, returns in his first feature film.

Starring: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes

Director: Mark Burton, Richard Starzak

Genre: Animated Comedy/Adventure

Choice Quote: Shaun is a sheep. He only says “Baa…”

The Hype: For me it was being a fan of Aardman Animations (the company that’s also responsible for Chicken Run) and watching this film after not seeing my favorite little sheep for a long while. Would it be like seeing an old friend again?

The Reality: Yes, it was and it was utterly fantastic. Shaun the Sheep is back!

First introduced on the hit British claymation TV series Wallace and Gromit (1995) this fun loving sheep returns in his first feature film, written and directed by Mark Burton and Richard Starzak. In this comedy Shaun (Fletcher) and his sheep buddies come up with a plan to take the day off, but things go awry resulting in the farmer (Sparkes) getting lost, while suffering from amnesia, in the big city. It’s up to Shaun and his friends to get him back to the farm to jog his memory while dodging every obstacle in their way.

As someone who has grown up watching Wallace and Gromit as well as Shaun the Sheep, this film delivered all of the same laughter and high quality fun as these characters did when I was a child. They even seemed to make an impression on my seven-year-old cousin, who I took to see the movie. He had never heard of Shaun the Sheep before but throughout the entire film I saw him giggling and smiling with his eyes glued to the screen! After watching my cousin’s face light up just like mine did all those years ago I knew that the film would be a hit for all ages and will surely make people fall in love with the mischievous adventures of Shaun the Sheep once again.

To experience watching this film after not seeing my favorite little sheep for a long while was like seeing an old friend again. It is a perfect film for the entire family to see and enjoy with many references to pop culture as well as a mini-animated cameo of Nick Park himself (hint: look for the photographer at the bird pond)! So if it’s a good time and a laugh you’re looking for, Shaun the Sheep Movie will have you in stitches by the time the credits roll.

Can the grandkids see it?:  Yes, grandkids and kids at heart of all ages.

The Verdict: If it’s a good time and a laugh you’re looking for Shaun the Sheep Movie will have you in stitches by the time the credits roll.

Rating (out of 5 kernels): 3.5

Shaun the Sheep Movie is in theatres now.