The Sheep Detectives is a charming murder mystery with a bit of a twist. Based on the novel Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann, the film features a fun cast and a great take on the traditional British murder mystery.

Despite featuring a murder, this ends up being delightful family fare and an engaging mystery.

George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) has a flock of sheep; he has an enjoyable life in a small county town in England. He has a routine with his sheep; every evening he reads to them, and he’s got them listening to murder mysteries like Chandler and Christie.

When George is murdered, there is a healthy list of suspects, but no one expects that George’s flock will be instrumental in solving the crime. There are two brother rams (both voiced by Brett Goldstein), a very clever ewe, Lily (Julia-Louis Dreyfuss), a horned elder (Patrick Stewart) an inquisitive lamb (Bella Ramsey) and others.

They dig into the mystery and help to guide the less-than-clever constable, Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun), to the villain. But who is it? The lawyer (Emma Thompson)? George’s daughter, Rebecca (Molly Gordon), the local butcher (Conleth Hill), a troubling neighbour (Caleb Merrow)? Or is it someone else?

The visual effects that bring the sheep to life are solid, not great… they are still obviously effects, and it’s obvious they aren’t on set with the actors. But it’s charming and entertaining. The story has a real heart to it, and a really nice commentary on family.

The mystery is well-crafted, has some really fun moments, and there’s a really nice sense of chemistry and banter between the voice actors bringing the sheep to life.

It’s an endearing film, and it makes me curious to dig into the book series that inspired the film. I quite liked this film, but like so many films today, it’s completely disposable. You watch it and much like a bag of popcorn, it’s gone when you’re done with it.

And that makes me a little sad. It’s just entertainment; there’s no real enduring cinema here, despite the talent involved. That doesn’t mean it’s not good, that it’s not enjoyable; it very much is, it’s beautifully charming, and I love good murder mystery.

I like the cast, I like the idea, and the film is a delight. But it feels like a confection, tasted, enjoyed and forgotten.

It’s a nice little film to enjoy for an evening, so take a look. And if you have kids to share it with, absolutely do so. They’ll love it.