British stop-motion studio Aardman Animation brings big laughs and buoyant visuals to this feature adaptation of their successful TV character, Shawn the Sheep. From the opening frame, sight gags abound, as dialogue is relegated to the characters' grumbled intonations. Countless jokes and humorous moments fill the 85-minute runtime, as Shawn and his misfit flock take leave of the farm and head for town - with sheep dog Bitzer hot on their hooves.

Also giving chase is a villainous animal control agent, equipped with an extendable grabber-claw gun for apprehending critters on the loose. To dodge their perusers, the sheep don human disguises and befriend a local junkyard mutt as they galavant through restaurants and shops, leaving bewildered citizens in their wake. Moments of pathos are dotted throughout the upbeat proceedings, as we see the equally dismal conditions facing animals on the street and in shelters.

The film ends on a rousing note, as Shawn and company escape the city's dark clutches and return to the pleasant banality of life on the farm. Through its sheer wit and ingenuity, plus the ornately hand-designed visuals, Shawn the Sheep Movie begs multiple viewings. Entertaining for all ages, with a few mature jabs to boot, this is Aardman operating in their wheelhouse to impressive effect.

Final Grade: A- | 90/100 | ★★★½