The Shaun the Sheep movies by Aardman Animations are always such a charming showcase of stop-motion animation at its finest that it seems the woolly adventures can do no wrong. That theory is tested in The Beast of Mossy Bottom, which places the farmland characters in a monster-movie setting. But wait, wasn’t this genre already used in Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit? Yep, and it still manages to be funny with some amusing new gags rather than the same old bits. A movie that could’ve easily come off stale with such an overused premise still has some cleverness in its silent slapstick antics.

The story is once again a simple enough idea for kids to understand, but also wise enough to find the funniest gags. Halloween is approaching, and plans are being made on Mossy Bottom Farm. The farmer (John Sparkes) can’t wait to attend the Halloween dance and maybe ask out the attractive vet (Nina Sosanya) who tends to the sheep’s health. As for the sheep, Shaun (Justin Fletcher) and his flock, they want to carve pumpkins and have their own party. Unfortunately, those plans are derailed when the farmer accidentally crushes all the pumpkins. But Shaun is determined to have a fun Halloween and aims to grow some new pumpkins in a hurry.

Shaun takes the route of a mad scientist and develops a growth serum that seems to work for the pumpkins. But when the farmer mistakes this marvel of science for hair growth liquid, his dreams of having a full head of hair transform him into a hairy beast. With the town terrified of this unrecognizable monster, Shaun and his friends on the farm must find a way to cure their farmer’s hair problem and prevent the town from reenacting the ending of Frankenstein.

Like the other Shaun the Sheep movies, this entry keeps the winning formula. There is no discernible dialogue, as characters speak in animal noises or indecipherable grunts, like a silent film à la Jacques Tati. The slapstick gags are clever in both their assembly and the sly references to various horror films. The animation is just as appealing, with enduring character designs: humans with long mouths and fluffy sheep with mouths off to the side. All those familiar ingredients don’t wear thin, with a clear devotion to crafting characters worth caring about and humor smarter than juvenile. Shaun’s many plans and contraptions still make him a fun Aardman figure who embodies Gromit’s demeanor and Wallace’s ambition.

Where the film falters is that it doesn’t seem to stray far from its monster-movie assembly. Previous Shaun the Sheep films always felt like they could go to a variety of locations and try out a variety of ideas. This one is strictly in Halloween mode, which suits the season, but it also puts the script on a predictable track. Parents watching this picture with their kids can likely piece together exactly where it’s going by the first act. At that point, you’re not so much watching to see the daring story developments, but rather the comedy of such intricately assembled animation. And on that level, it’s impossible not to be won over by such cleverness on display. I dare say even the most jaded viewers will smirk at how the film weaves in references to Psycho and Frankenstein with a wit matched only by the best of Looney Tunes.

Shaun the Sheep has achieved an amazing gold standard for family animation, and The Beast of Mossy Bottom continues that legacy without feeling like a routine outing. For a film that relies on physical gags and odes to classic cinema, it’s surprisingly wholesome and pleasantly paced, with humor that doesn’t feel scaled down for its younger crowd. It’s becoming rarer to see an animated film have that extensive an appeal, but Aardman has proven once again that Shaun’s antics are incredibly versatile. For parents seeking a kid-friendly Halloween film this season that won’t rot their brains as much as those candy bars will rot their teeth, this is an easy recommendation.

Not available on any streaming platforms.

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