Ewe won’t want to miss hilarious ‘Beast’

    Count on the sharp minds behind “Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom” to capture the “shear” fun of Halloween, and do it with keen wit and the utmost affection. It’s the third, and possibly best, entry in the “Shaun” series created by Nick Park of “Wallace & Gromit” fame. And it’s a pure delight, from its woolly characters to its plethora of sight gags paying cunning tribute to just about every classic horror film in existence.

     The bits come so fast and furious that it’s almost impossible to take in all the imagery in one sitting, making “Mossy Botton” a family film that offers enough satire to engage adults while featuring a herd of lovable livestock puppets to keep the kiddos enthralled through multiple viewings. A win-win. But what I love most is how the team at the UK’s Aardman Studios has crafted such a robust story without a word of dialogue. It all comes from the motions and emotions of claymation figures painstakingly posed and photographed frame by frame to convey a range of sentiments through posture and facial expressions.

    Under the direction of Steve Cox and Matthew Walker, the animators spare no effort in cramming visuals into every scene, lending immense depth and variety. If you focus exclusively on the characters, you risk overlooking dozens of side jokes playing out in the background. So expect your eyes to get a workout from all the darting around.

    And it all begins with Shaun, the most mischievous of Farmer’s flock of highly evolved sheep. As Halloween nears and an eager lamb watches over a pumpkin patch about to yield a bumper crop of future jack-o’-lanterns, the clumsy Farmer stumbles into the garden and smashes every gourd. To alleviate the lamb’s heartbreak, Shaun runs for his trusty DIY science book and concocts a formula that will grow a new crop in a matter of hours. What could go wrong?

    Well, how about Farmer mistaking the resulting goo for Rogaine, slathering it on in hopes of sprouting new follicles, and, along with that, the confidence to ask the village’s stalwart veterinarian to the Halloween dance. When he awakens the next morning, his heretofore bald pate has transformed so dramatically that he rushes to the vet’s office with youthful exuberance, hoedown tickets assuredly in hand. One problem: the hair continues to grow – everywhere. And what begins promisingly quickly devolves into something quite beastly.

    Thus, the stage is set for mining a rich vein of slapstick humor, as the townsfolk arm themselves with inflatable pitchforks and set out to destroy the hirsute monster, while Shaun and his fellow sheep join forces with Farmer’s enduringly loyal dog, Blitzer, to find an antidote. Assuming it’s not too late.

    Amazingly, there are no lulls, as the action never ceases. Neither do the laughs, nor the fun of identifying what film or iconic character is being referenced. I lost count, but not before noting odes to everything from “The Wizard of Oz” to “King Kong” to “Friday the 13th” and, of course, “Frankenstein,” lightning bolts and all. But there’s also a great deal of heart, especially in the unbreakable bond between Blitzer and Farmer. It’s touching, as is Shaun’s well-meaning desire to merry-up a little lamb with his heart set on some pumpkin carving.

    Come for the cuddles but stay for the wondrous animation. It not only drives the story but also brings to life an authentic little community, picture-perfect and populated by people and animals who recognize their importance to each other. Not unlike that other recent animated gem, “Coyote vs. Acme.” Both also proudly flaunt their quaintness in this digital age where pixels have all but replaced clay and ink.

     Kudos too to Aardman for maintaining the highest standards of quality, ensuring the franchise (a spinoff from Park’s 1995 Oscar-winner, “A Close Shave”) only grows more endearing. Trust me, you’re gonna wanna flock to it.

Movie review

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom

Rated: PG for mild scary action

Cast: Justin Fletcher and John Sparkes

Directors: Steve Cox and Matthew Walker

Writers: Mark Burton and Giles Pilbrow

Runtime: 80 minutes

Where: In theaters Sept. 18

Grade: A-