I must march to the beat of my own drum. Show me a bandwagon, and I shall watch it go by. I often have a disposition not at all unlike Wednesday Addams, which explains why I would make a terrible influencer. It seems to me, part of the job involves being excited about everything thrust in front of them.
Everyone who posted on my social media feed was thrilled by “Michael,” the biopic on the undisputed King of Pop, Michael Jackson. I found myself unable to get enthusiastic about something whitewashed. The film was produced by his estate, and part of it had to be re-shot after a settlement involving one of his accusers.
The documentary “Leaving Neverland” has also been removed from the HBO line up. But I suppose that’s how people want to see their heroes? As heroes, and not as complicated humans.
More recently, people went crazy for “The Mandalorian and Grogu” mugs that came with Burger King’s Galaxy Burger (patty, cheese, bacon, onion rings, veggies, sweet wasabi sauce in a black bun) and Grogu’s Bounty (crispy chicken, cheese, veggies and a spicy sauce on a green bun) and rushed to buy both products.
The mugs made the people who acquired them very happy. But as someone who lives in a small space, who spent a year decluttering and organizing — I had no need or space for any more mugs. Not today, consumerism.
However, before I get called a total killjoy, an utter cranky pants, a complete sourpuss, a dour little dumpling, or party pooper, I do admit to not being able to resist the cuteness, earnestness and charm of “The Sheep Detectives.”
Hugh Jackman plays shepherd George Hardy, who would read murder mysteries to his flock at the end of the day. George happens to be a vegetarian and tends to sheep for their wool.
When George is found dead, it seems the town’s sole policeman, Tim Derry (“Succession’s” Nicholas Braun) and reporter Elliot Matthews (“Masters of the Universe’s” Nicholas Galitzine) bumble and fumble trying to crack the case. It turns out, the true heroes of the investigation are George’s clever sheep.
Standout members of the flock are Chris O’Dowd as Mopple, Bryan Cranston as Sebastian, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Lily. Also in the movie are Bella Ramsay, Emma Thompson, Sir Patrick Stewart, Rhys Darby, and Hong Chau.
It’s a comedic murder mystery that’s sweet, endearing, and has a little bit of something to say about loss. The screenplay is surprisingly by “The Last of Us’” Craig Mazin and it’s based on the book “Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story” by Leonie Swann.
Other things working for it: it runs less than two hours, it’s not a sequel or part of a franchise.
