Shaun the Sheep Movie
Aardman Animation has had a rough time since it first became part of the American studio system in 2000. Yes, their first feature film, “Chicken Run” was a critically acclaimed hit, and their next feature, based on their beloved duo Wallace & Gromit, won an Oscar, but after that, they moved to different subjects and mediums (CGI-animation over claymation), and the results have been mixed. “Flushed Away,” “Arthur Christmas” and “Pirates! Band of Misfits” all had their charms, but the magic of what made Aardman special seemed lost. That’s part of why “Shaun the Sheep Movie,” based around the character they first introduced in the W&G classic, “A Close Shave,” feels so wonderful. It’s an enjoyable and lively 80 minute comedy about Shaun, who just needs a day off from the routine of getting up early in the morning and being fed and shaved by the farmer who cares for he and the other sheep. When the plan goes awry, Shaun must go to the Big City to find the farmer and his faithful sheep dog without running into the animal containment officer. This is a pure claymation delight, with Aardman going back to their roots with the distinctive movements and look of their animation medium, which is made all the better with the film’s near-silent soundtrack (the farmer and other humans say things, but it’s unintelligible garble in the same way it is when the Peanuts adults speak). This is about getting back to basics, and it’s a wonderful treat for adults and kids alike. Hopefully, we’ll see more of the same from the studio in the future.
