Cut to the chase: Shaun the Sheep, a much beloved character from Aardman, the animation company behind “Wallace and Gromit” and “Chicken Run”, returns with his third headlining feature-length film flocking to theaters this weekend. “The Beast of Mossy Bottom” offers some modest frights and plenty of laughs in this Halloween-set comedy that ventures down each goofy avenue with contagious affection. Even its absurd side antics are a shear delight that will hoof its way into the heart of every viewer.
(Credit: Aardman Animations)
For this synopsis, we must use words
The b-ewe-ty of the “Shaun the Sheep” franchise – three feature films, as well as one of the longest-running animated series in British and German television – is its universal appeal. Young and old can enjoy “Shaun” together, thanks in part to its revitalization of a largely obsolete form: silent entertainment.
Using clay models, stop-motion artistry, some expressive noises and a bewitching soundtrack, “The Beast of Mossy Bottom” continues the tradition of telling Shaun’s tale without a single spoken word. Set on the idyllic, country farm called Mossy Bottom on the outskirts of Mossingham, the film follows Shaun and his wooly compatriots doing silly sheep things that snowball into village-wide catastrophe.
This film opens on the most gloriously spooky setting “a few days before Halloween”. Crows land on dilapidated fences. An eerie glow casts over the characters as they rise. Shaun and his friends tend to their very own pumpkin patch, a secret they’ve kept from Farmer, their loving, somewhat obtuse caretaker. Farmer is preoccupied, fixated on an upcoming Halloween social event and his bourgeoning crush on the local veterinarian.
When Farmer accidentally destroys the sheep’s pumpkins, Shaun transforms a mad scientist, filling neon-colored tubes with bubbling potions to bring the gourds back to life. Only his concoction has inadvertent consequences when Farmer transforms into a massive, hairy Big Foot, sending the Mossy Bottom crew on one harebrained scheme after another. Hair-raising hijinks and spine-tingling subplots ensue, all in the name of a monstrous Halloween adventure.
Credit: Aardman Animations)
Initiation into the Halloween movie Hall of Fame
Aardman has fine-tuned stop-motion as a storytelling art, and while “The Beast of Mossy Bottom” may not be its greatest film, it is an admirable addition to the “Shaun the Sheep” franchise. It also serves as a long-awaited sister film to 2005’s “Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit”, Aardman’s only other Halloween-set feature film.
While it’s rare to find a movie made for all ages that also dares to turn up the “creepy” vibes, “The Beast of Mossy Bottom” never crosses the line into unsettling or scary. Instead, directors Steve Cox and Matthew Walker use color and shadows to accentuate the feelings that this time of year elicits. They utilize reds, greens and purples to achieve it. Some scenes have an 80s film aesthetic, like perhaps the Ghostbusters or the Scooby gang will make a cameo at any moment. Setting many scenes at dawn and dusk heighten its fall sensibilities.
The film also nails its references to other Halloween-centric properties. Adults in the audience will chuckle at its many inspirations. Dancing sheep tap out the moves to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video, which is, itself, a reference to Hollywood monster films like “An American Werewolf in London” and “Night of the Living Dead”. Shaun channels Frankenstein during the mad scientist sequence. (And Frankenstein’s windmill is a centerpiece in the film’s set.) Classic monsters like Big Foot, Dracula and the Mummy get a few winks.
“The Beast of Mossy Bottom”, however, refuses to outplay its target demographic. Physical comedy abounds. The characters, all rounded edges and simplified features, make for easy viewing personalities. The morals of this story revolve around teamwork, humility, problem solving and perseverance. There are no tricks, only treats in this instant Halloween classic sure to charm viewers of all ages.
(Credit: Photographer/RetoucRRichard Davies / Credit: Aardman Animations)
Talk about it: points to discuss after the film
- How do the filmmakers tell the story without dialogue? What tools do they use, and were they successful?
- Though Shaun’s name is in the title, how important are his friends in helping him “fix” things when his plans go awry? Whose story did you find to be the most engaging?
- What lessons do you think Shaun has learned as a scientist? What should he do next time to prevent a similar outcome?
- Had you heard of stop-motion animation before this film? How do you think the filmmakers use stop-motion animation to bring the characters to life?
Details
MPAA Rating: PG for mild scary action
Where to Watch: In theaters Friday, September 18
Recommended Age: 5+
Runtime: 80 minutes
