In the fictitious English town of Denbrook, you’ll find a simple shepherd by the name of George Hardy (Jackson).  He resides in a small caravan atop a beautiful acreage which is home to his many sheep.  If you’re asking folk for their thoughts on George, you’ll get differing opinions.  Most humans see him as a cranky loner who, during fleeting visits to the main town, is rude and abrupt.  The sheep see things differently.  They know him to be a kind-hearted soul who uses them only for wool (not food), tends to their medical conditions, and reads them bedtime stories of an evening.

Aussie Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) steps into the shoes of George and while he receives top billing amongst the cast and features prominently on the poster… he is murdered during the film’s opening act.  Sorry to Hugh fans who were hoping to see more of him!  The town’s only police officer (Braun) couldn’t solve a Wordle puzzle let alone a crime and so the flock of sheep, who can talk among themselves, take it upon themselves to gather evidence and observe possible suspects.  They’re helped by the fact George had read many murder-mystery novels to them over the years, and they know what to look for – means, motive and opportunity.

Based on a German novel first published in 2005, The Sheep Detectives is a cute idea for a movie.  The premise may have you thinking it’s a movie for children, given the talking animals, but it’s a decent whodunit as the early scenes lay out an interesting array of possible suspects.  There’s plenty for adults to stew on.  Screenwriter Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and director Kyle Balda (Minions) do a great job with the material and when all is revealed in the finale, you realise they were dropping small hints along the way.

The use of visual effects is too obvious when it comes to the sheep, but the well-selected voice cast give them all a likeable personality.  Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep) is the “lead” sheep and other voices you’ll recognise include Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Chris O’Dowd (The IT Crowd), Regina Hall (One Battle After Another), and Patrick Stewart (X-Men).  Their respective characters are solving a crime, but they also find time for humour – highlighted in a funny gag about a chicken who crosses the road.

If looking for engaging family entertainment, The Sheep Detectives will tick most boxes.