Does anyone remember “Chicken Run”? Does anyone remember how friggin’ scary that movie was? Jesus Christ, you’d think it was a horror film how terrifying Mrs. Tweedy was. As a child, that movie scarred me. As a legal adult (what a joke), the film still scares me.

Even though it’s a terrifying film, “Chicken Run” introduced me to the magic that is Aardman Animation, the British stop-motion animation studio that, unlike every other animation studio today, renders its films in stop-motion claymation rather than computer generating them. While Laika renders their film in stop-motion as well, their films use 3D printed models rather than straight-up clay. This gives Aardman’s films a certain charm and likability that other animation studios simply don’t have. Directly from the smash hit television show, shown on Disney Channel in the U.S., is the feature length adaption of “Shaun the Sheep.”

“Shaun the Sheep Movie” was such cute fun I wanted to scream.

From the opening credits to the final frame, “Shaun the Sheep Movie” kept a smile on my face. Unlike almost every celebrity filled animated movie today, “Shaun the Sheep Movie” contains no dialogue whatsoever, outside of a few grunts and animal noises. This gives the animators major opportunities to use each character’s body language to get each emotion and funny quirk across. Despite what you think, it works really well and makes the film even more charming using action over witty dialogue.

While “Shaun the Sheep Movie” isn’t quite “Inside Out,” this film features far more slapstick humor than the recent Pixar film. This in itself might give children more of a rousing time at the movies than the color and beauty “Inside Out” provided. Make no mistake, just because this film didn’t make me cry, “Shaun the Sheep Movie” has heart, and lots of it. Even without voice acting, you can connect with each character and their unique quirks.

I haven’t mentioned much of the plot of the film, as it somewhat takes a backseat to the humor and heart involved, but here’s the rundown. Shaun the Sheep wants a day off from the humdrum life on his farm with his beloved farmer. When attempting to distract The Farmer for a few hours while he relaxes, Shaun and his friends accidentally send The Farmer rolling into The Big City (presumably London) in a trailer. Upon discovering this, Shaun and his friends must track down The Farmer in The Big City before being caught by the evil animal control agent, Trumper. This film, like many others, makes me pity real-life animal control agents, as I’m sure they’re tired of being portrayed as evil murderers.

In the end, it doesn’t matter if you have children or not, “Shaun the Sheep Movie” is going to be a good time for you. It’s almost impossible not to be taken in by its infectious charm and its unique and gorgeous aesthetic. The lack of dialogue makes this film even more unique in its style and charm. It actually improves the effectiveness of the animation overall. There isn’t another film like “Shaun the Sheep Movie” being released this year, and that in itself is reason enough to head out to see it. I’ll add that it’s an incredibly charming and funny adventure that’s so cute that you’ll want to go out and adopt a sheep, though I might get kicked out of the dorms because of it.

4/5

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate

Directed by: Mark Burton and Richard Starzak
Runtime: 85 minutes
Rating: PG for Rude Humor.

Lionsgate, StudioCanal, and Aardman Animations present, in association with Anton Capital Entertainment, an Aardman production, “Shaun the Sheep Movie”