The Reel Review
George the shepherd loves to read detective novels to his beloved sheep at the end of each day. But when he dies under mysterious circumstances, his flock decides to give the town’s humans some much-needed help to solve his murder. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson and Molly Gordon (Theater Camp, Booksmart) star in this animated live-action, comedy whodunit.
From the trailer, The Sheep Detectives looks to be a sweet but silly children’s movie about anthropomorphic CGI sheep, but thanks to animation from director Kyle Balda (the Minions franchise) and a compelling story from screenwriter Craig Mazin (The Last of Us, Chernobyl), we get a film that is remarkably moving and emotionally deep. The animated ensemble cast (which also includes Bryan Cranston, Patrick Stewart, Regina Hall, Brett Goldstein, Chris O’Dowd and Bella Ramsey) is led by Louis-Dreyfus as Lily, George’s smartest and, for a really sweet reason later divulged in the film, favorite sheep. Kids will enjoy the visuals, with adults also enjoying the sly humor and the life lessons.
Unabashedly family friendly and PG-rated, The Sheep Detectives manages to tackle heady topics like death, grief and prejudice in a gentle and charming way that would have made Mister Rogers proud. It is also filled with so many tender moments that you likely will find yourself choked up at multiple moments. The tiny Winter Lamb and the other baby lambs are quite the cuties. A wonderful film.
REEL FACTS
• In terms of sheep breeds:
- Lily is a Shetland sheep
- Sebastian is an Icelandic Leadersheep
- Mopple is a Merino sheep
- Reggie and Ronnie are twin Norfolk Horn sheep
- Zora is a Danish Landrace sheep
- Wool-Eyes is a Lincoln Longwool sheep
- Cloud is a North Country Cheviot sheep
- Sir Richfield is a Boreray Sheep
- Daisy, Ollie and Pickles, and the Winter Lamb are baby sheep
• Orf is a highly contagious skin disease that affects sheep and goats, causing painful pustules and scabs on the muzzle, lips, and in the mouth, but can also spread to the teats or hooves. There is no cure, but sheep develop lifelong immunity after the 3-4 week infection.
• Brett Goldstein’s ram-obsessed twin sheep are named Ronnie and Reggie, after the infamous Kray brothers who dominated organized crime in London’s East End suring the 1950s and 60s.
Video & Photo
