By Gavin Boyle
THE SHEEP DETECTIVES writer Craig Mazin penned the movie so that the whole family can enjoy it, giving audiences of any age characters they can relate to.
“You don’t normally think of murder as something the whole family can enjoy. But obviously, this is a story about growing up. That’s what it really is,” Mazin told Movieguide®. “The sheep are, in their own way, some of them are little lambs, but most of them are adult sheep, like Lily and Sebastian and Mopple. But they’re kind of like kids. They’re learning things and they’ve been sheltered. They’re innocent.”
“And I think that’s really why I’m so excited for kids to see this, because it is fun and funny and they’re sheep, and it’s a fun mystery to try and figure out,” the writer continued. “But also, there’s something beautiful and heartwarming, and I hope there was maybe a tear or two at the end, a happy tear or two.”
Related: Hollywood Finally Pays Attention to Family-Friendly Media—Here’s Why
While audiences hopefully can’t relate to the murder aspect of the story, much of the plot is relatable, including a shepherd who would read to his sheep every night. His genre of choice is detective novels, and once he passes away, the flock works together to solve what they believe to be his murder.
“I think what the threading the needle of this film is finding that tone, finding the tone that is funny, that is also heartwarming and touching and that you’re going to buy into this murder mystery that is going to be solved by sheep,” said Hugh Jackman, who plays the shepherd.
One of the lessons that the movie focuses on is the importance of getting to know others rather than judging them based on superficial things. The sheep do this within their flock and come out the other side better for it.
“[My character,] Cloud, unfortunately, she does speak against that lamb, the Winter Lamb, but when he comes into the fold and receives so much love, I think that’s a lesson for all of us, you know, for how…how do we misjudge or prejudge things because they’re different?” said actress Regina Hall. “And not just the fact that we do it, but what could we do to change it? And when we make that change…what can we do to embrace that which is different so that we realize, wow, we have a lot more in common than we don’t. And so I think the Winter Lamb is really special, but I think what it symbolizes is even bigger.”
Audiences of all ages will not want to miss THE SHEEP DETECTIVES when it comes to theaters starting on May 8. Check back to movieguide.org for our full review soon!
Read Next: Americans Put Family Values First. Are You Surprised?
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +4Share:
– Content: +1