A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
I think we got the trailer for this Aardman sequel about the continued adventures of Shaun, their popular sheep who started out as a supporting player in the Oscar-winning Wallace & Gromit short, “A Close Shave,” last year, or maybe even when “Early Man” came out in 2018. So when it suddenly was released on Netflix, without a US theatrical release, this month, I was not only surprised, but a little disappointed. American audiences haven’t really warmed up to Aardman the way they should have after those first two features, “Chicken Run” and “Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” so I guess it’s not surprising. At least Netflix getting it means I’ll be able to watch it at will, if I want. I may want to.
It’s weird to imagine that Shaun might actually be the most well-known character in Aardman’s history right now, but I get it, as well- as wonderful as Wallace & Gromit are, they are more for adults; Shaun is more right for families and kids. “Farmageddon” plays right into that appeal with its story of a UFO that crash lands near Mossy Bottom Farm, where Shaun and his fellow sheep are trying to break out of the strict discipline the farm’s sheep dog has for them- they can’t even throw a Frisbee without getting in trouble. When the alien that flew it finds their way on the farm, it’s up to Shaun to get them back to their home planet, all the while the town goes nuts with rumors of otherworldly happenings that the farmer gets caught up in.
The film is essentially in the form of “E.T.,” with some fun nods to other sci-fi films thrown in, and it pulls the homage off very well and in entertaining fashion. Aardman’s stop-motion work remains a sheer delight to experience, and the set pieces here make the fact that it’s done by hand all the more wonderful to watch. As with the previous “Shaun the Sheep” film, it knows its audience, and plays for quick, sly laughs and a sense of fun that carries through its 86-minute running time. I’m glad the colonies finally got the chance to watch it.
