Shaun The Sheep: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review
“Shaun The Sheep” is another delight from Aardman.
With the release of Aardman’s “Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget” this week, Shout Factory has wisely timed the release of another Aardman project with the complete series release of the beloved British stop-motion animation series “Shaun The Sheep.” The series, which has so far run 6 seasons and 170 episodes, follows the adventures of the mischievous but kind sheep Shaun, Bitzer the sheepdog, the human Farmer on Mossy Bottom Farm. Each episode runs in the 7 minute range.
In terms of the plots, viewers can expect stories about cabbage football, a mission to get hot water for a bath, Shirley’s weight, Timmy’s teddy bear, sheep and pig feuds, a painting, pizza, a bull, a dance party, a kite, horror movie, bees, haircuts, a camera, the circus, a female dog, a mole, chicks, pigs spooking the sheep, a magic show, an amusement park, washing clothes, aliens, Farmer getting ill, Bitzer’s toothache, concrete, Shirley getting hiccups, hot weather, Shaun sleepwalking, trash, the Farmer’s niece, exploration, robot sheep-dog, a problematic tractor, glue, a metal detector, Shurley’s snoring, a tree, a Farmer double, a road-line painting machine, sheep sleeping in the pig sty, Timmy with a spring, the Farmer learning to dance, golfing, a wig, bagpipes, a giant Timmy, the Farmer sleeping in the farm, Pidsley the cat pretending to be a cheetah, broken glasses, a hat, a mouse, the Farmer’s romantic interests, a sale, a Farmer birthday party, a new sheep named Lola, a new dog kennel, a boat, a hot air balloon, a missing rooster, Bitzer getting in shape, a stone, the pigs in a position of power, a muddy Bitzer, dirty ducks, a trumpet, Timmy on a bike, a magpie, Pidsley trying to create problems, an inspector, a remote control, a fox, a pool table, a wind turbine, Bitzer getting a cold, snow, Christmas, a traffic jam, a coconut prize, Sheep Dog trials, window cleaning, graffiti, crows, Shaun on the run, a duck-call whistle, a football retrieval mission, the barn in danger of change, a rounders game, home movies, a map to a hidden bone, skateboarding, the Farmer’s lack of piano playing skills, a family photo, a hang glider, a bull chase, a shadow puppet show, ice cream, Timmy’s birthday, a genie in a lamp, 3D TV problems, the Farmer having a foul odor, room decoration, a rabbit, a lottery ticket, a spider problem, a tick, a water leak, Bitzer being entered in a dog show, a jigsaw puzzle, a wildlife film crew, a pelican, a troublesome new dog, television issues, the Farmer’s replacement while he’s on holiday, Bitzer’s chore lists, Shaun in charge of the farm for a day, the Farmer trying to get in shape, ping pong, party tricks, a messy barn, the dump in danger, the meddlesome goat Mower Mouth, apples, the Farmer getting stuck in a porta potty, the farm becoming a hippy commune, cricket, Shaun’s lost hair, the Farmer’s nephew, Bitzer babysitting Timmy, a pig befriending Timmy, Bitzer and the mailman, an alleged monster, a new whistle, hedgehogs, an escaped convict, the Farmer’s rock idol, peace and quiet, a restaurant meal, a boomerang, Bitzer having to wear a cone, the Farmer being turned into a sheep, Shaun making pizzas, Super Sheep, a drone, the Farmer making online videos, Shaun investigating a theft, Stash the squirrel, the barn being rented out to guests, Ben and his dog Lexie, box-cart, pig contest, Mossy Bottom Farm becoming a movie set, new glasses, the pond being occupied by junk , a dance competition, the Farmer’s new shoes, an exercise bike, Goz the gosling, prize pumpkins, and a petting zoo.
Since the show’s debut in 2007, the Nick Park created “Shaun The Sheep” has become a beloved series that has gone on to have 2 feature films (the only thing missing from this set), specials, and other shorts as well. The series harkens back to the silent comedy classics of yesteryear in that it relies on sight gags and visuals. There is no dialogue outside of grunts, barks, and sheep baas. As a result, the writers really have to use their imagination in coming up with stories and plots that don’t rely on dialogue which is what makes the show so rewarding. On top of that, there’s a real attention to character here. How can you not fall for the cute Timmy, the stressed out Bitzer, the lonely Farmer, and the titular star? You really feel as if you are a part of their Farm world when you watch the series.
There are many gems throughout the six seasons, but my personal favorites include “Timmy In A Tizzy” (in which Shaun is trying to get Timmy his teddy bear back), “Hair Today Gone Tomorrow” (involving the adventures of the Farmer’s wig), the sweet “We Wish Ewe A Merry Christmas” with the farm animals cheering up the Farmer for Christmas, the clever “3DTV,” “Dangerous Deliveries” (in which Shaun attempts to help Bitzer with his instinctual hatred of the mailman), and the hit “Baa-gherita” in which Shaun’s pizza venture gets quite popular.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? Even though the first season has lower video quality, all six seasons receive glorious hi-def transfers here. You really get to notice all the little handcrafted details on the characters and environments. Obviously, the more recent specials and seasons look even sharper.
Audio Track: 2.0 and 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The first season gets a 2.0 track while the remaining 5 seasons, specials and shorts are presented in 5.1. The music and sound effects sound clear as day in both tracks.
Extras:
* “The Flight Before Christmas”- A delightful Christmas special involving sock stockings, Timmy, and the Farmer as Santa. Perfect for this holiday season.
* “The Farmer’s Llamas”- Another special. This one revolves around Llamas becoming members of the farm.
* 15 “Mossy Bottom Shorts” which are actually 1 minute plus short segments made for the Nintendo 3DS Nintendo video service. There’s even a fun Super Mario. Bros homage episode.
* 15 1 minute sports themed episodes tied into the London Olympics titled “Shaun The Sheep Championsheeps.”
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