The Sheep Detectives (PG) – 109 minutes

A cute Babe-like (1995) whodunnit with some good humour and sight gags. That is what you are in for with The Sheep Detectives.

Nothing to think about too deeply and some of the comedy hits the mark better than other attempts, but overall, it is a most enjoyable romp.

George Hardy (Hugh Jackman), who lives in a long, silver caravan on his farm in the small village of Denbrook, is totally besotted with his flock of sheep. 

He fervently believes all are special and knows each one by name. He even reads them murder mysteries daily.

The smartest, who is able to solve the crime stories, is Lily (as voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus).

Then there is Mopple (voiced by Chris O’Dowd), who has a photographic memory.

Reggie and Ronnie (Brett Goldstein) are rams who continually butt heads.

Sebastian (Bryan Cranston) is a loner who George came across when the sheep was facing adversity.

Sir Richfield (Patrick Stewart) is pompous, while Cloud (Regina Hall) is fluffy and Wool-Eyes is the woolliest of all.

George thinks more of some of his fellow villagers than others and, likewise, they of him.

For instance, George doesn’t care much for his fellow shepherd Caleb (Tosin Cole) or for the local butcher, Ham Gilyard (Conleth Hill). 

He is not exactly a true believer, so isn’t at one with the priest, Reverend Hillcoate (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith).

There is a distance, too, between George and innkeeper Beth Pennock (Hong Chau).

Then, one day, George turns up dead. His flock is devastated and it is soon clear this wasn’t a medical episode, but murder.

George’s fellow townsfolk and others are all suspects. 

The problem is that the only cop in town, Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun), isn’t exactly a Rhodes scholar.

So, it is left to the sheep to give him a helping hand to solve the crime.

Before his untimely death, George had been writing detailed and loving letters to a woman named Rebecca Hampstead (Molly Gordon).

Suddenly, she appears.

So, too, reporter Elliot Matthews (Nicholas Galitzine), keen to get a leg up at the paper.

And then there is George’s lawyer, the no nonsense Lydia Harbottle (Emma Thompson), who is also not afraid to give the policeman strong advice on what to do.

Based on the best-selling 2005 book Three Bags Full by German crime writer Leonie Swann, the screenplay is by Craig Mazin (The Huntsman: Winter’s War).

The premise is that the sheep, who like George very much, understand what he says to them, but can’t talk to him.

However, they can – and do – speak to each other … in English. 

That leads to several amusing interchanges, not the least of which occurs near the start of the movie.

That is when George leaves the sheep hanging (figuratively) by not revealing the identity of the perpetrator in his latest book reading.

The Sheep Detectives is feel-good entertainment that will readily resonate with children. It is a good family film.

It is the simple but varying characteristics – naivete, arrogance, scheming etc. – imbued in the human and animal players that make this such an enjoyable watch. 

And what would any good whodunnit be without several red herrings thrown into the mix.

Hugh Jackman is delightful as the shepherd with a heart of gold.

Nicholas Braun comfortably fits the persona of the bumbling “detective”.

Emma Thompson is nicely hoity-toity as George’s legal representative.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a force who learns a thing or two about herself as the voice of the most prominent sheep, Lily, one of several to make their mark.

To go along with the dad jokes, there is a surfeit of visual comedy to keep the movie on the up.

And there is a lovely message here about outsiders (represented by lambs born in Winter, rather than the tradition, which is Spring). 

Director Kyle Balda (Minions) has crafted an endearing flight of fancy with The Sheep Detectives.

Rated PG, it scores a 7½ out of 10.