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Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom – Review
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom – Budget of ~$25 million – 1 hour and 20 minutes
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Shaun and the other sheep secretly create a pumpkin patch on the Farmer’s land while hiding it from the dog, Bitzer. Shaun’s cousin, Timmy, brings Shaun a picture of a Jack-o’-lantern. Shaun promises to carve them all and light up their barn. The Farmer sees the Vet coming up the street and glances at the Halloween Hoedown tickets. He wants to ask her, but he loses confidence when he sees an old picture of himself at a previous Hoedown. He had thick, long hair. He runs to the bathroom and grabs an old can of Hair Grow. However, it’s empty. He throws the can away and meets her outside.
The sheep, Bitzer, and the other farm animals see the Vet and hide. However, she captures them all and gives them a shot. She checks the goat and removes laundry from its mouth. As the Vet leaves, the Farmer trips and stumbles into the pumpkin patch. He accidentally destroys all the pumpkins. The Farmer exits the patch covered in goo. Crestfallen, Timmy looks at Shaun with a seed in his hand. Shaun gets an idea and grabs a Home-Made Science book. He collects discarded items, including the can of Hair Grow, outside the Farmer’s home. Shaun uses his knowledge to create a growth serum and pours it into the can. Shaun wakes the other sheep, puts one drop on the seed, and it grows. Timmy and the other sheep are elated, but run when Bitzer arrives. Bitzer sees the can and places it in the Farmer’s medicine cabinet.
The Farmer arises in the morning and covers his head in Hair Grow. Instantly, he has luscious, long locks. He puts on a cowboy outfit and ventures to the Vet’s office to ask her to the Hoedown. Before he can get her attention, his hair grows again. The Farmer runs out of the office. By the time he gets home, the hair is covering his body. The animals see him and ignore the growing pumpkins in the yard. In fear, they run into the Farmer’s home and board the windows and doors to escape the monster. The Farmer gets through the barricade and tries to shave, but nothing works. He leaves his home and finds a cave. The Vet arrives at the Farmer’s home to return his hat. She tries to call him when she discovers he’s not there. But he ignores her calls. It doesn’t take long for the town to hear about the monster on the loose. They want to kill it. Will the mob find the Farmer before Shaun and the sheep uncover the beast’s true identity?
Based on the Shaun the Sheep series, this stop-motion film relies heavily on its animation, music, and comedy because the characters barely speak (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Its visuals, sound effects, and background jokes keep you engaged. You don’t have to be a fan of the franchise to enjoy this movie. It’s listed as a horror, but it’s not too scary for kids. They know who the monster is and why it exists. That fact makes everything else funny. The stop-motion was well done and seamless. The writers used famous scenes from Thriller, Jurassic Park, Psycho, and Raiders of the Lost Ark to connect with the parents. The music doesn’t dominate the film. However, it’s well placed at pivotal moments and carries a message. There is one mid-credit scene but no post-credit scene. This film is a good way to spend an afternoon with the family, but you won’t add it to your DVD collection.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
Ta da – Shaun
Hello – The Vet
Ahhh – The Farmer
The Uprising – Review
The Uprising – Budget of $20 million – 2 hours and 8 minutes
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King Richard II has nightmares of demons storming his castle. His mother, Joan of Kent, fears her son is going mad. She tells him to be the king his father wanted him to become and to lean on his council. Joan enters the council’s room and alerts them that the king is indisposed again. The council continues their meeting about the kingdom’s lack of funds. They have three options: tax the church, tax the merchants, or tax the peasants. They choose to tax the peasants and send the declaration as the king’s word.
Ploughman tends his fields and visits his family’s gravesite. He lost all three during the plague. He walks to town to pay his annual taxes. However, he doesn’t have the paperwork to prove his family died. So he must pay their tax or pay the death tax. As Ploughman argues with the tax collector, he sees several women being assaulted. He attacks the tax collector, and the king’s men try to hang him. However, the people fight back and send a message with the surviving king’s man. They are coming. They walk to the nearest town and join others in a rebellion. They believe the council has taken the young king hostage and want to free him. They don’t believe the king would treat his people this way. They demand to meet with the king and give them their petition. They want to own the land they tend, get paid a fair wage, and be taxed fairly. If not, they will revolt. Can Ploughman and the other peasants reason with a 14-year-old mad king?
This action drama plays with the truth. It has historical facts but was previously dubbed the rise of Robin Hood. So, viewers need to research which stories are real and which were embellished. This film uses natural lighting and practical sets to draw you into the story. This drama is more than a period film. It has thrills, battles, and class warfare. Fans of Game of Thrones will enjoy this film (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The battle scenes are bloody and graphic. So be prepared. The storyline never dulls, but it’s nothing new. Viewers can guess every twist and turn. The downfall is the sound quality. Even with little ambient sound, it’s hard to hear what the actors are saying. Dialogue is critical in this genre because it could be the difference between war and peace. It should be clear at all times, even in battle. This film is entertaining, but the audience shouldn’t take it as gospel. It’s a stepping stone to research the truth.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
Am I not – King Richard
Time to pray – Plougher
The king is young, and his council is strong – Joan
All will be well once the poison of wealth is removed – Alyce
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Categories: AMC Screen Unseen, andrew garfield, Cosmo Jarvis, In The Theater, Jamie Bell, John Sparkes, Jonny Lee Miller, Justin Fletcher, Kate Harbour, Katherine Waterston, movie, review, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, Stephen Dillane, The Uprising, Thomasin McKenzie, Tom Hollander, Woody Norman
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