As we approach the winter holidays, it only seemed appropriate to include a holiday movie in our Review Stew for the year. I was scrolling through Netflix the other day when an animated short caught my eye… Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021).
Title: Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
Director: Steve Cox
Released: December 3, 2021 (Theatrical – Brazil and Spain, Digital – Canada, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, South Korea, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States)
Runtime: 30 minutes
Available to stream on: Netflix
Christmas is fast approaching and everyone is filled with holiday spirit. Well, everyone except for Shaun. He and his fellow sheep are decorating when he notices that their stockings are incredibly small.
If they had bigger stockings they could fit more presents in them. So naturally, Shaun decides the only thing to do is obtain larger stockings. As he peers across the farm, Shaun sees the perfect sized stockings.
There’s just one problem, the stockings are hanging in the farmer’s house.
After concocting a plan to get the stockings, Shaun and the sheep set out to put their plan into motion. Unfortunately, things quickly go sideways, and in the scurry to remain unseen, Shaun’s cousin Timmy hides inside a present. The farmer eventually loads this present onto his truck as he heads into town.
Will Shaun be able to rescue Timmy in time for Christmas?
I have yet to see anything from Aardman that I have not enjoyed and Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021) keeps that streak alive.
This was a cute and witty short that I had honestly not heard of prior to stumbling upon it on Netflix.
Like most offerings from Aardman, there is plenty to enjoy for all ages. The animation is always a treat and that is no different here. The attention to detail along with the emotions portrayed by each character is simply incredible, especially here where there is no dialogue.
I also appreciated the multiple nods to Home Alone that were sprinkled in throughout. We had the farmer hitting the parking sign, Santa getting a boot on his car (though it was a ticket in Home Alone), the toys spread out on the floor as a trap, and even a zip line out of the second-story window.
Whether you’re a fan of Aardman Animation or are just looking for something new to add to your holiday viewing rotation, Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021) is absolutely deserving of at least one viewing.
Well, now it’s your turn.
If you’ve seen Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021) leave a comment below or reach out on Bluesky and tell me what you thought of it!
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