After 130 seven-minute television episodes, starting eight years ago, Shaun the Sheep has made it to the big screen. Despite the size and the scale (85 minutes), and the transition to the big city, directors-screenwriters Mark Burton and Richard Starzak retain the innocence about a flock of sheep and their beloved farmer, down to the no-frills stop-motion animation and the no-words story but for some baas and murmurs.

Richly detailed, the dialogue-free adventure serves as a tribute to the visual ingenuity of silent cinema. Even though it tends to lurch about at times, the script manages to convey a cavalcade of emotions through expressive character design and a clever use of bleats, growls and mumbles.

There are a few clever messages slipped into the story. Such as the subtle impart that (in Shaun’s case) with freedom comes responsibility. There are other poignant moments, like a scene where stray animals are put up for adoption, and we see via their actions just how keen they are to be welcomed into a new home. All in all, fun viewing for kids.

Take your kid to this one or watch it to relive the time you were a kid and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. And yes, don’t miss the end credits!

‘Shaun the Sheep’ ultimately is a reminder that the simplest form of storytelling is the most attention grabbing and satisfying. Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ proved that a children’s film can also be incredibly smart and cerebral, ‘Shaun the Sheep’ on the other hand proves smart filmmaking is all one needs to deliver a very good film. Whether you have kids or not, this one is a must watch. ‘Inside Out’ has serious competition at the Oscars this year.

Overall, this film will literally appeal to the whole family. While the children will giggle and enjoy the antics, the adult audiences will be awestruck by the finer nuances of the characters and the homage paid to some older films. A definite holiday weekend treat for the younger ones!