A SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE: FARMAGEDDON (G)
ONE GIANT LEAP FOR LAMBKIND
★★★★
Almost five years ago now, clay-mation specialists Aardman Studios took a gambol on a young, woolly talent looking to star in his first feature film. Shaun the Sheep had got his start as a bit-part player in the Wallace and Gromit ensemble before finding some success in his own right on television. However, Shaun and his entourage from out Mossy Bottom Farm way had never stuck around for anything beyond 10 minutes in duration. Surely a movie-length presentation would find them all out? Especially bearing in mind that no one in the Shaun the Sheep universe is ever heard to speak an intelligible word? Well, 2015’s Shaun the Sheep Movie silenced the doubters in brilliant fashion, proving that great storytelling and true creative inspiration can never be denied. So if you find yourself thinking lightning cannot possibly strike twice for the sequel A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, stop right there. This new, sci-fi-inspired adventure for Shaun and company is even better than the first one. The story begins when Shaun notices that a sizeable percentage of the pizza he and his posse are ordering online is disappearing without trace. The perpetrator turns out to be a visiting alien being, Lu-La. Her ship has ditched itself on the farmlands of Britain at the worst possible time, especially now her presence has attracted the attention of a UK agency hellbent on capturing its first UFO. Naturally, it is up to Shaun and his barnyard battalion to come to LuLa’s aid, not only keeping the government spooks at bay, but also finding a way to have her return home safely. The beauty of Farmageddon as a film is its simple straightforward efficiency when it comes to entertaining viewers of all ages. While the very young will easily relate to the story and laugh profusely at the fresh mischief afoot at Mossy Bottom Farm, adults tagging along will have a great time processing all the sci-fi references and in-jokes that come and go at blinding speed throughout.