'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 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.

A UFO crash lands near Mossingham. The sheep at Mossy Bottom Farm just want to have fun. Bitzer, the dog, is bent on stopping them. Shaun the Sheep tries to steal some pizzas and befriends an alien.

I always love Aardman stuff. This one has a lot of ET references including flying pass a moon. It's fun. My biggest complaint is the alien design. He looks too much like a dog walking in a dress. It has so many ET references that it's odd to not look more like ET. It would have been better if the spaceship landed on the farm. It would start the adventure much quicker with a bigger thrust. I also want the Halloween scene with the kids taking ET out trick or treating. That would have been nice for this movie. Overall, this is mostly fun and the only change I'm certain of is a new alien design.