A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon

'Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon' (2019)

Opening thoughts: Am a big fan of Aardman and have been ever since seeing 'Wallace and Gromit in A Close Shave' (which is a firm family favourite and one of our Christmas traditions is watching that and 'Wrong Trousers') for the first time. Shaun the Sheep immediately won me over in his first appearance in 'A Close Shave' and continues to do so. Absolutely love the 'Shaun the Sheep' show, and was not in all honesty expecting for the first 'Shaun the Sheep' film to be as good as it was.

'Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon' is a more than worthy sequel and even though even slighter story wise even with the referencing retains much of what is so good about the show and the first film. It's not as good, with it falling a little into the trap that the first film surprisingly managed to avoid, but it is a worthy sequel and a good and vastly entertaining film in its own right. Don't expect much from the story, and anybody who loves fantastic animation, endearing lead characters and clever writing should see 'Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon'.

Bad things: Beginning with the not so great things, the story is very slight, though actually it was a wise move to keep things straightforward (just that it was a little too much so in places), and is a little too like an over-extended episode of the show. It is also very over-familiar with very little new and some of the pacing drags.

Did feel too that the alien design was on the strange side.

Good things: Everything else is great. The animation is absolutely wonderful (this component is even better than the animation in the first film, which is a big compliment as that component was the standout one in the first), with its vibrant, bold colours, immaculately detailed backgrounds and well-modelled character designs. Not to mention some very imaginative sci-fi visuals. Sheep have seldom looked cuter in film. The John Williams-like score is inspired and is the kind that rouses the spirits and tugs at the heartstrings. Having no dialogue aside from grumbling and animal noises was also a wise move, instead letting the story, gags and characters do all the work. The show also had no dialogue and definitely worked without it.

Furthermore, 'Shaun the Sheep: Farmageddon' is every bit as funny as the first film, with hilarious and nostalgic references to the likes of 'ET', 'Men in Black', 'Signs' and 'Alien' that never felt forced or shoehorned in. They don't go on for too long as well. Like the first film, it does brilliantly at providing something for all ages and kids and adults alike. Children will delight in the characters and will have no trouble following the story and it is never juvenile for adults either, who are going to get the references more. When it comes to the gags and the humour, they are hilarious and true in style to the gags in the show. Again like the show not much new but they are genuinely witty and funny as well as timed to perfection and conveyed absolutely beautifully.

Can't fault the characters either. They are every bit as delightful as in the show, Shaun has lost none of his endearment and is just adorable for a character that never speaks. The film is very cute without being sugary and it never feels forced or like it is trying too hard, the charm never stops too and there is enough energy to satisfy (even if pacing is a problem at times here).

Closing thoughts: In summary, really liked it while liking the first film more.

7/10.

I've always found the most terrible of animated movies to be slightly impressive because of the craft itself. So much work goes into an animated film and I find myself at least giving that kind of praise to the ones I don't like. On the other side of that, it's nearly impossible for me to dislike a film like A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, simply due to the fact that it's all done in-camera for the most part. When the first theatrically released Shaun the Sheep Movie hit theatres back in 2015, it was one of my favourite movies of that year. The extremely clever visual gags had me busting a gut laughing on multiple occasions. While this sequel doesn't quite reach the praise I gave to its processor, it's undeniably still great.

If I were to base my thoughts on this film on the premise alone, I would probably give it a pretty negative score, because it's a very tired plot. Shaun the Sheep's Mossy Bottom Farm is invaded by an alien who has crash-landed on Earth. Doing his best to help this alien get home to her parents, they embark on a quest. Having to fend off an organization that also wants her to experiment on, the movie began to feel very familiar throughout the second and third acts. Luckily, the story is not where these films shine, even though it is effectively done.

Comedy is the sole reason to watch these movies. There isn't a single line of dialogue spoken throughout the entire movie, yet it's one of the funniest movies I've seen in the last couple of years. Shaun the Sheep is a series that relies on visual gags to hold the attention of its audience. From visual nods to sound effects in weird places, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is littered with things that will make average moviegoers chuckle, but will absolutely have hardcore film lovers busting a gut. This movie is so self-aware of itself that the movie almost feels like a joke in itself.

Still, it's not perfect, especially in comparison with the previously released feature film. A few pop songs throughout a film aimed at a younger audience is okay, but it seemed like this movie would cut to a montage using modern pop songs every 10-20 minutes. It didn't ruin it for me, but the silent, subtle nature of the jokes was undercut by this in my opinion. This film is far more story-driven than the previous instalment, which also hurt it because the last movie only needed the very simple idea of trying to get the animals back to the farm they came from. It was the comedy that drove that movie, which was only about half of the time here.

In the end, as far as sequels go, this is a great one. I admittedly didn't like a few of the creative choices taken and the plot felt way too familiar to latch onto, but the rest of the movie is far too clever to turn away from. I was laughing throughout the entire run time and would highly recommend this movie for kids, but also for adults who will find more humour in the subtle moments. This is a very solid sequel and I would gladly watch more of these movies. A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is now streaming on Netflix.

I was si surprised how well the first Shaun the sheep film came out I had overly realistic expectations about this sequel. However that's not to say its not a beautifully made film.

My only problem with it was that the script was weak. What would have worked extremely well in a half hour episode is stretched very thinly here. However I am a middle aged adult and this film wasn't written with me in mind. The children in the audience seemed to love it and it is very funny in places. But it did seem a little laboured in places although the filmic references and gags were great fun to notice.

Aardmans high water mark will always be the Wallace and Gromit film of 2005. That was simply stunning and deserved all its praise. However this film doesn't come close to that masterpiece. I think the first Shaun film was also better scripted than this but it takes nothing away from the excellent animation and humour on display. Having said that I don't think the under tens are really going to care for my opinion, it's still made with great care and some genuine laugh out loud moments.

Perhaps not quite as memorable as other Aardman films of the past but still a darned sight better than some of the child orientated cgi rubbish that's also on release.

IN BRIEF: A family film that has some funny moments in its sci-fi parody.

JIM'S REVIEW: (RECOMMENDED) From Aardman Animation comes its first British sequel to its 2014 feature-length film and popular character, Shaun the Sheep (a spin-off from the delightful Wallace and Gromit series entitled A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon. Nominated for an Academy Award, the movie is diverting fun, but not up to the high standards from this studio.

This installment takes its title character and his flock, along with Farmer John and his dog, Bingo, into sci-fi territory. The story is slight, and like most animated films these days, does not come near the visual artistry on display. The plot spoofs and overuses the E. T. formula as it centers on a wayward alien named Lu-La and the gang trying to help her "phone home".

As always, the film has wonderful background details with its stop-motion characters caught in a havoc of sight gags and a bit of Brit wit. Everything on view relies on its visuals to tell the story as there is no dialog and the artisans are certainly up to the task to deliver enjoyable family fare for both young and old, even if the story is old and predictable.

Well directed by Richard Phelan and Will Becher, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is a silly entertaining romp. Be charmed by the whimsical antics and spend an evening with the kids, or just have "the kid in you" see this movie. (GRADE: B-)

This is basically a Shun the Sheep version of ET. Fun for all the family, and plenty of movie references for sci-fi fans.

It knows it's silly, and goes out of its way to enjoy itself.

Easily one of the best animated movies of 2019.