Last Saturday I watched the movie The Sheep Detectives, and found it highly enjoyable. The film follows a flock of sheep whose shepherd, played by Hugh Jackman, is murdered in the middle of the night, and it’s up to the sheep to solve the murder, as the police in this small English town are very incompetent.
The movie begins with an introduction to the town and its residents, where we meet George, the shepherd; Beth, the innkeeper; Caleb, another shepherd on a smaller farm; Ham, the butcher; and Tim, the cop. After meeting them all, we learn that a reporter has come to town to learn about the cultural fair, only to be disappointed when to find it has only three tables. Before leaving, he is involved in a car accident and is towed back into town. During this time, he notices someone in George’s field. The following morning, George is found murdered.
Following the discovery of the murder, the townspeople grow concerned. Before suspicions can fully take hold, George’s lawyer and daughter arrive for the reading of his will. Meanwhile, two sheep, Lily (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and Mopple (voiced by Chris O’Dowd), travel into town with the help of a larger sheep, Sebastian (voiced by Bryan Cranston), to gather information. They learn that a newly discovered will leaves George’s $30 million estate to his daughter, causing tension among others who receive nothing.
As the investigation unfolds, the sheep follow a series of clues that initially point to the daughter as the suspect. However, they later revisit an overlooked detail: one of George’s hands was stained green. This leads them to sneak into the police station and mix blue and yellow paint to recreate the color, prompting the officer to reconsider the evidence. This ultimately helps direct attention toward the true culprit.
All-in-all, the film is an engaging watch that appeals to a wide audience of all ages, with strong performances throughout. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who wishes to watch it, and it stands out among recent releases with similar rural, animal-centered settings.
