Every cartoon of the Aardman animation studio is recognized almost from the first shots, with the exception of the animated film "The Santa Claus Secret Service." The fact is that the studio products are distinguished by their original graphic style and painstaking work during the creation of each frame. Almost all of the creations of Aardman Animations are made exclusively from plasticine and then shot in stop motion. Typically, for the release of one cartoon, artists have been doing preparatory work for more than six months: sculpting scenery and assembling models.
Start
The adventurous and bold lamb Sean appeared on the screen in 1995. This character was born thanks to the "plasticine" British animator Nick Park, who coined it for the third short film about the adventures of Gromit and Wallace called "Zero Haircut." Only 12 years later, the character from a minor turned into the main one and acquired his own television series “Shaun the Sheep”, the first episode of which was released in 2007.
Successful and long-playing
In addition to a decent list of full-length works, the studio has television series: the unconventional "Evil Boy" and the bold "In the Animal World" with Lip Sync. However, the most successful and long-playing project of Aardman is the cartoon "Shaun the Sheep." In four seasons, more than 130 episodes were combined, each for 7 minutes. And here is a continuation of the project that everyone loved, and a full-length film was released, the screenwriter and director of which was the ingenious Mark Burton. Like "Chicken Run Escape" and "Wallace and Gromit," the reviews of "Shaun the Sheep" were called an eccentric but touching family comedy. One of the reasons for its frenzied popularity is that all characters without exception are explained only with the help of gestures, facial expressions, all kinds of sounds: grunting, bleating and other things. A funny, funny and uncomplicated cartoon is understandable by both adults and the smallest viewers, so it is not surprising that the British decided to release a full-length series of the hit song that had long been loved by everyone.
Plot
"Shaun the Sheep" in Russian retains its original mentality and identity. His story is absolutely not distorted by the translation. Plasticine cartoon begins with the fact that the inhabitants of the "Happy Farmer", being unable to bear the regime established by the owner, put the poor person to sleep, stuff him into a food truck and send him to the city. There, the farmer ends up in a mental hospital, but after that he becomes a well-known and popular hairdresser, although he cuts clients with a machine, like rams familiar to him. Soon, his image adorns all the billboards of the metropolis, and Banksy dedicates graffiti to him on the unpainted brick walls (this moment is especially highlighted by spectator reviews). Shaun the sheep, having freed himself and his whole herd from the master's dictatorship, lives together with other animals the farmer’s house. Animals are entertained to the fullest: they organize spiritualistic sessions and violent parties with damage to property. But the fun cannot go on forever, and, having drunk plenty, the inhabitants of the farm begin to miss the owner. They decide to go in search of him. Under the leadership of Sean and dog Bitzer, the animals are resolutely sent to Big City, where the team is in danger and adversity at every step, including a determined service for trapping stray animals.
Extremely funny
“Shaun the Sheep 5” turned out to be original, funny, outstanding and sentimentally charming. The plot of the animation tape is very dynamic, something happens every minute. Every detail is verified and lovingly fashioned, put in its place. Character gestures are characteristic. All together it is funny, touching, and sometimes dramatic. It is noticeable how Mark Burton wittily ironizes over a significant number of episodes of the original. After all, according to the scenario, all the inhabitants of the farm were terribly tired of the routine, the repeating weekdays categorically bored everyone without exception. Attempts to leave their native penates were observed in some episodes of the animated series "Shaun the Sheep" (season 3), however, after a series of comic adventures, the animals returned without having time to go far.
Innovation is impossible
At this stage of development, the industry for the production of animated films has reached a sufficiently high level at which innovation is impossible. All animated films use proven, proven techniques, standard scenario moves, and computer graphics in the projects of leading studios never ceases to amaze. However, at the same time, nothing completely new, “vicious” like the “Monster Corporation” or the cult “King Lion” has not been released for a long time. Pixar sequels “City of Heroes” and “How to Train Your Dragon-2” did not turn the industry upside down. Aardman, previously having one flagship - Wallace and Gromit, has released a masterpiece of British humor. As the audience reviews say, "Shaun the Sheep" is a cartoon that I want to review repeatedly. Funny gags, pertinent jokes, comic characters' tweaks prompt the viewer to sincerely burst into a happy laugh from the first minutes of timing to an extremely sentimental climax and a somewhat tense denouement. "Shaun the Sheep" in Russian has kept current jokes about Internet fashion, trends that have spread like a virus, and promotional frames. It really pleases.
Calculation of success
The cartoon "Shaun the Sheep" as a comedy takes a lot from the origins of cinema - silent pictures in which all the actors had to convey with gestures and facial expressions the meaning of what is happening and the emotions of the characters. Although the project animators had even more difficult: instead of plastic and textured actors, they had to work with sheep, whose figures are generally quite inexpressive. Moreover, most animals do not have eyebrows, and, as you know, it is with them that it is easiest to show emotions. But the result of the work is amazing - all the characters are convincing, and at the climax they manage to play an impressive dramatic scene in front of the audience (this is evidenced by the reviews). Many critics call the “Shaun the Sheep” considered successful, since the plot is simplified, the script moves are far from new, and the whole structure of the narrative is similar to the anthology of Aardman's previous creations for primary school children. So nothing new, no opus magnum happened. It is a pity, but the full-length film did not become the next milestone in the development of the industry and the genre.
Seal of authenticity
The full-length version, as was noted, has several references to the series "Shaun the Sheep" (season 3). Namely: it’s not burdened with various kinds of “literature” and from the first to the last frame it was built at the expense of cinematographic resources (editing, gages, plastic - everything is filled with an “Aardman” meaning). By the way, all the plasticine characters and decorations are made so smoothly and evenly that a modern child can well take them for computer 3D. Although, if you look closely, in some places the fingerprints of the creators appear, like symbolic seals of authenticity.
Musical accompaniment
The feeling of miracle and happiness is doubled in the cartoon "Shaun the Sheep" by the composer Ilan Eshkery. The title soundtrack appears as if by accident, and then quickly and unexpectedly disappears. At the same time, Ashkery remarkably managed to emphasize and beat everything for which the musical accompaniment appears in the frame. Along with the release of the animated film, an entire album of musical compositions was released called VA Shaun the Sheep. “Shaun the Sheep” songs are uniquely decorated, their number is 11, and the total playing time is more than 32 minutes.
Life is happiness!
Shaun the Sheep is a joyful and solid animated series claiming that life is happiness! Let the most uncomplicated, daily routine, that it is she who is small, but such real happiness. The main thing is to be able to understand this in time, to appreciate and fully enjoy every beautiful moment, because it will not happen again.