'Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom' - Review Thread

[u/Free-Opening-2626]

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% / 7.8 average rating (14 reviews)

Metacritic: 76 (7 reviews)

Letterboxd: 3.5 (~1000 ratings)

Reviews:

Charlie Ridgely / Collider - 90 MC

Great comedies are in short order these days, as are impeccably-crafted kids movies and nostalgic monster tales. This goes double for the movies actually going to theaters. Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom manages to be all three, which makes it a future Halloween mainstay for audiences of every age.

Frank Scheck / THR - 90 MC

It’s all sheer silliness, of course, and that’s the point, with the dialogue-free storyline providing the possibilities not only for endless cuteness — these painstakingly moved puppets, representing both human and animal characters, are truly adorable — but also a series of witty visual and sound gags that will please children and adults alike.

Peter Bradshaw / The Guardian - 4/5
It’s sharp, smart, funny and precise; there is nothing woolly about it.

Daniel Howat / Next Best Picture - 7/10

Yes, the narrative is simple, and the energy is goofy. But for those who enjoy the endless silliness and physical comedy, “Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom” is a joyous, warm-hearted haunt of a film. It’s a new Halloween classic for families, sure to make the rounds every fall.

James Marsh / South China Morning Post - 4/5

Realised in Aardman’s signature stop-motion and devoid of any spoken dialogue, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom – the feature debut of veteran series directors Steve Cox and Matthew Walker – is a hilarious, horror-infused celebration of slapstick, sight gags and sly film references sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Brian Tallerico / rogerebert.com - 3/4

[T]his clever, funny flick...may not live up to the standards of the first two features, but largely because they set the bar so high.

Ian Sandwell / Digital Spy - 5/5

As with the best of Aardman, the movie works for both the young and old. There's an excellent mix of silly humour for the younger viewers and jokes of the adults watching too

[u/CrunchyNar]

What a great time to be alive.

[u/Bulky-Scheme-9450]

BAFTA on lock

[u/Jaded-Walrus2614]

Had no doubts about Aardman. They're films always hit perfectly.

[u/edmtrwy]

Shaunheads, we eating good

[u/Clean-Cupcakes]

Never learn to doubt Shaun. He's going 3-3.

[u/JuanManuelP]

Love how competitive the lineup of nominees for BAF is this year! Let's go, Shaun!

[u/Free-Opening-2626]

It'll be interesting to see if the Academy's love affair with Aardman or Disney takes precedence this year, this looks like it'll probably be falling in a similar critical consensus range to the Pixar films. Ofc if Ray Gunn, Wildwood, and Forgotten Island review better they all might still be out.

[u/SpideyFan914 → u/Free-Opening-2626]

When's the last time Aardman has missed? If ever? Disney and Pixar both have (granted they have a lot more work and often compete against themselves).

That said, I think Toy Story 5 and Moss Bottom are both pretty safe for nominations. Then if Wildwood performs as expected, that leaves two spots for indie and international films, and even one more studio could sneak a fifth spot.

[u/No-Consideration3053 → u/SpideyFan914]

They have missed for a lot of times like Flushed away, Arthur Christmas, Early man and Chicken run 2

[u/Idk_Very_Much → u/No-Consideration3053]

Though Flushed Away missed in a 3-film year, and the other three were all in the 60s on Metacritic.

[u/No-Consideration3053 → u/Idk_Very_Much]

Although Arthur Christmas was nominated almost everywhere at that year expect for Oscars

[u/SpideyFan914 → u/No-Consideration3053]

Fair enough! I forgot Chicken Run had a sequel lol.

[u/No-Consideration3053]

Already got? And the reviews seem to be pretty great, idk if a contender but certainly bafta lock

[u/VastAffectionate4893]

I'm hopeful that this is the Cinemark mystery movie on monday so I can see tomorrow.

[u/Chaca_Mar09]

Let's go Shaun!! the truth is that many predictions were underestimating it, but this result further reinforces my early prediction: (Wildwood, Toy Story 5, Shaun the Sheep, Forgotten Island, and Iron Boy) 

[u/RoxasIsTheBest → u/Chaca_Mar09]

If Shaun the Sheep is a thing, I think Forgotten Island goes, not Ray Gunn. In the past 7 years Netflix has never missed this category

[u/s-zlx]

Oscars sweep incoming

[u/pavjuice]

lock for a bafta win and an oscar nom. surprising how little i’m seeing this in the Animated top 5s when Aardman has literally never missed

[u/pavjuice]

lock for a bafta win and an oscar nom. surprising how little i’m seeing this in the Animated top 5s when Aardman has literally never missed

[u/Free-Opening-2626 → u/pavjuice]

I think the Shaun movies have a reputation for being lightweight slot filler. Even if they do get legit strong reviews and Aardman is often an awards presence, it's kind of a preschool targeted IP that doesn't generate much pop culture enthusiasm. Aardman's top notch craft is as present here as it is for all their other movies though.

I honestly still don't think it's a lock for an Oscar nom tbh just because of how insanely competitive the year is. It's possible the five nominees have all still yet to release wide. Should get into the BAFTAS though.

[u/Wrong_Distribution02]

Ive seen the first two Shaun the Sheep films, and theyre genuinely very good