Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom

The Beast of Mossy Bottom underlines why, as directors Steve Cox and Matthew Walker pull off a wholesome entertainer, which is simple, straight and touching, without having pretensions, or songs-and-dances, about being anything else. Shaun's imaginative use of basic science is endearing, and the dog's grief for the Farmer moving.

Daft and delightful, as all Shaun The Sheep escapades are. This is what properly good kids' entertainment looks like.

This is another excellent family film, crammed as ever with top visual gags, great throwaway references and, of course, a homemade Heath Robinson contraption. It's sharp, smart, funny and precise; there is nothing woolly about it.

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is a delightful Halloween treat that showcases Aardman's enduring gift for visual comedy. Though the pacing falters and the monster mayhem could have been bolder, its handmade artistry and gentle humour make it a worthwhile family watch.

While this spin-off of the highly successful stop motion animation British TV series seems to recall the animated film Madagascar, it stands out for its clever humour and brilliant animation. A heartwarming, fun, smart experience is kneaded into a simple, delightful and insightful story.

The third feature-length entry in Aardman's spinoff franchise maintains all the virtues of the previous two — energetic, ingenuous slapstick that doesn't outstay its welcome. While the tone may often feel blithely throwaway, the filmmaking is never careless. No one in live-action cinema, frankly, is doing visual comedy quite this well, each time out; to mix all manner of barnyard metaphors, when it comes to cartoon horseplay, Shaun the Sheep still wools the roost.