Being a fan of Aardman, I was very excited to see this movie. And I was not disappointed. Shaun the Sheep is a charming, funny, and entertaining movie that continues the tradition of good movies by Aardman.
The animation is beautiful. Claymation is my favorite type of animation because of how off-beat it makes everything look, so I'm already partially biased on the cinematography. That is a huge reason I love Aardman.
But, the backbone of any and every Aardman film, including this one, is the screenplay. Shaun the Sheep has a wonderful screenplay - full of wit, cleverness and humor. I can't tell you how hard I laughed at the Silence of the Lambs' reference (the only one in my theater who did laugh at it). There is a restaurant named "Moon," and, in the film, a cow jumps over it get it? It's the little things like that make this film so great. Without dialogue, this movie is still more intelligent than many. That isn't to say it's a silent film, but it doesn't have any talking. It doesn't need it. The saying, "A picture is worth 1000 words" applies to motion pictures as well. The way the movie uses images to convey messages or to tell jokes and to advance the story is impressive and entertaining. It makes us feel smart, that we're able to put the pieces together and not have to be told everything. I'd even say it's refreshing.
I wish I could say more about the movie, but it's excellence was so expected and it's formula is so familiar, that I can't elaborate too much. It's vintage Aardman, basically. Fortunately, that is a fantastic thing. So I give this movie 4.5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 10 to 18.
Reviewed by Willie J, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16. For more reviews by youth, go to kidsfirst dot org.
The animation is beautiful. Claymation is my favorite type of animation because of how off-beat it makes everything look, so I'm already partially biased on the cinematography. That is a huge reason I love Aardman.
But, the backbone of any and every Aardman film, including this one, is the screenplay. Shaun the Sheep has a wonderful screenplay - full of wit, cleverness and humor. I can't tell you how hard I laughed at the Silence of the Lambs' reference (the only one in my theater who did laugh at it). There is a restaurant named "Moon," and, in the film, a cow jumps over it get it? It's the little things like that make this film so great. Without dialogue, this movie is still more intelligent than many. That isn't to say it's a silent film, but it doesn't have any talking. It doesn't need it. The saying, "A picture is worth 1000 words" applies to motion pictures as well. The way the movie uses images to convey messages or to tell jokes and to advance the story is impressive and entertaining. It makes us feel smart, that we're able to put the pieces together and not have to be told everything. I'd even say it's refreshing.
I wish I could say more about the movie, but it's excellence was so expected and it's formula is so familiar, that I can't elaborate too much. It's vintage Aardman, basically. Fortunately, that is a fantastic thing. So I give this movie 4.5 out of 5 stars, and recommend it for ages 10 to 18.
Reviewed by Willie J, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16. For more reviews by youth, go to kidsfirst dot org.