SHAUN THE SHEEP: THE BEAST OF MOSSY BOTTOM
Starring: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, and Nina Sosanya
Director: Steve Cox and Matthew Walker
KATIE
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom sees Aardman return to their endearing signature style in a fantastically silly, immensely entertaining ode to monsters and horror movies. It features countless wonderful nods to horror cinema, beautifully rendered stop-motion animation, as well as being packed full of visual gags, puns, and hilarious slapstick humour. Due to Shaun the Sheep’s signature lack of dialogue, the film’s comedy and charm can be universally enjoyed by people of all ages. Another fantastic entry in Aardman’s features, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is a delightful Halloween treat.
ADRIANO
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is nothing more than a Halloween special, and that is a compliment. I must admit that Aardman is very much my kryptonite because the sense of humour and animation (how do they do this?!) are way too charming for me to deny. This offering is short, simple, and funny. It’s got a clever plot, it’s colourful and cute, and while I’m aware this review isn’t exactly insightful, that’s the beauty of these movies. They are loads of fun. Mossy Bottom is very similar to many Aardman movies; this one just has more fun Halloween stuff. I love that.
QUENTIN
Full disclosure… This is the first movie I’ve seen from Aardman, and while I appreciate the remarkable craft that goes into their stop-motion claymation, this style of kids' movie is decidedly not for me. I’m sure Shaun the Sheep is a cute distraction for younger children that inspires many toy purchases. However, I was worn down by the dialogue-free cuteness, even at only 80 minutes. I don’t want to yuck anyone's yum, so maybe take my review with a grain of salt if you are less cynical than I am. But, frankly, to quote Danny Glover's character in Lethal Weapon, “I’m too old for this shit.”
AMARÚ
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is a delightfully cheeky addition to the Aardman Animations catalog. Continuing its mostly dialogue-free storytelling, the slapstick gags and sharp visual wit are as charming as ever. The needle drops are pitch-perfect and help keep the upbeat pacing lively for the simple, yet delightful narrative. Plus, the animation never ceases to disappoint. Of all the Aardman franchises, Shaun the Sheep makes the smartest use of its family friendly bits, and Mossy Bottom’s playful spooks keeps that trend going.
