This live-action animation film about a flock of sheep trying to solve their shepherd’s murder takes us on a wild enchanting ride, making the improbable look probable and endearing. The film obviously appears to be referencing ‘Babe’ (1995), the Chris Noonan-directed multiple Oscar nominee that had us all wanting to own a piglet as a pet.
This is Kyle Balda’s (‘Despicable Me 3’, ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’) first live-action feature meshing creature-feature with a whodunit.
Based on Leonie Swann’s bestselling German novel ‘Three Bags Full’ (2005), the story follows George (Hugh Jackman) and his flock of sheep. George’s idea of running a sheep farm involves tending to them like they are his children and even offering them daily readings of his favourite murder mysteries. The sheep are, of course, talking sheep; they have a language all their own and are so domesticated that they sit attentively and absorb every word.
When George shows up dead in the pasture, the bumbling local policeman, Officer Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun), comes to the conclusion that George simply died of a heart attack. George was found with his hands mysteriously coated in blue and green dye, so Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the sheep whom George described as the smartest of his flock, suspects foul play. She rallies her fellowmates Mopple (Chris Dowd), Zora (Bella Ramsey), Cloud (Regina Hall) Ronnie and Reggie (both voiced by Brett Goldstein), Sir Ritchfield (Patrick Stewart) and the loner ram Sebastian (Bryan Cranston), to help solve the murder.
The suspects include Rebecca (Molly Gordon), George’s estranged daughter, Beth (Hong Chau), the local innkeeper, Caleb (Tosin Cole), the shepherd next door, Reverend Hillcoate (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith), to whose church George made a large donation shortly before he died, and Ham (Conleth Hill), the town butcher. The other human players in the mix include Elliot (Nicholas Galitzine), a reporter, and Lydia (Emma Thompson), George’s lawyer.
The narrative scripted by Craig Mazin has intriguing dialogues, one of which puts forward the belief that when it’s time to leave their earthly bodies, sheep merely turn into clouds. The narrative comes at you in storybook fashion. The sheep, residents of Denbrook, use their nose and bleat and baa their way to aid the humans in solving the case.
The character introductions and obvious red herrings make the narrative ploddy and tedious. It is the animal banter that really sparks interest. There’s humour in the human involvement, while the charm offensive comes mainly from the sheep and their actions.
Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson and Nicholas Galitzine lend star power to this film that keeps its digital creations in central focus. Derry’s bewilderment at the curious turn the case takes comes in for a few laughs.
The voiceover, most of it by Jackman, is steady and retains a consistent tone. Hugh Jackman, aka George, introduces us to his flock amidst a vivid evocative pastoral set-up. George Steel’s camerawork presents the English countryside as overly bright and sunny. Suzie Davies’ stunning production design, superb visual effects, animation, puppetry and visually soothing colour-coding help make this experience a visual treat.
The sheep are of various sizes, colours and temperament, each one an exquisite digital creation set off by amazing photo-realistic animation. They look fluffy, cool and really adorable. The kids are likely to want them as pets and the merchandising is sure to be a winner.
The charm and wit displayed by the digitised ovine ensemble is delightful; unfortunately, the emotional connect is missing at times.
This is largely a feel-good kid-friendly effort; there’s no doubt they’ll love it.
