Before we discuss the joys of Kyle Balda’s The Sheep Detectives, we must dwell on the obstacles around it (and there are a few). First, that flat title – possibly suggested by a business mind. I can’t imagine many people looking at the title and being remotely excited by it. Second, this is a difficult genre. Creating an idealised version of a world (aimed at children), it’s hard to preserve the sweetness of the world without making it egregious for adults.Even most tuned-in cinephiles might not want to take a chance on a film that seems birthed by picture story books for toddlers. Third and final, the whodunnit genre has spread itself thin in the streaming era, after Kenneth Branagh resurrected Hercule Poirot in his Agatha Christie adaptations, and Rian Johnson went on his Knives Out spree with the singular Benoit Blanc and also the web series Poker Face, starring the incredible Natasha Lyonne. These days, it’s hard to make a good whodunnit film without referencing the formula – without making it seem self-conscious. I’m happy to report that Balda’s film conquers all three.Adapted from the 2005 German novel, Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann [translated by Anthea Bell], Balda’s film tweaks its source material to make it less eccentric. So, an Irish town on the outskirts, is changed to the rolling grasslands outside London. George (Hugh Jackman) plays a shepherd devoted to his flock. Spending his days taking care of them, he names each and every sheep. After work he reads detective novels to the sheep, oblivious to the fact that not only do they understand him (barring some syntax like “Who is God, and why can no one see them?)”, but they can also speak among themselves. Hugh Jackman in a scene in ‘The Ship Detectives’. Photo: Screengrab from Youtube video/Amazon MGM Studios.Voiced by actors, the flock comprises Lily (Julia Louis Dreyfus) – the smartest among them, who can guess the killer even before George gets to the end of the story; Mopple (Chris O’Dowd), who remembers everything; Sir Richfield (Patrick Stewart) could be mistaken for sheep coming from nobility; Sebastian (Bryan Cranston) as the loner ram who never quite gets along with the rest of the flock; and the boisterous twin rams – Ronnie & Reggie (both voiced by Brett Goldstein).Combining live-action with CGI, The Sheep Detectives reminded me of the Paddington films. Not just because of its hybrid form but also both films share this disarming quality, where they’re sharp without being naive, warm without being cloying, and sincere without being laborious. When George is found dead outside his trailer one day, the nearby town of Denbrook must come together to find out what happened. Characterising the town’s folk as one-note suspects like: Ham – the butcher (Conleth Hill), Beth – the innkeeper (Hong Chau), Caleb – fellow shepherd (Tosin Cole), Tim Derry – the slow inspector in town (Nicholas Braun), and Reverend Hillcoate – the preacher with secrets between him and George (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith).A scene in ‘The Ship Detectives’. Photo: Screengrab from Youtube video/Amazon MGM Studios.Three other characters: lawyer Lydia Harbottle (Emma Thompson), budding reporter Elliot Matthews (Nicholas Galitzine) and George’s long-lost daughter Rebecca Hampstead (Molly Gordon) add to the list of suspects. Of course, half of them are simply red-herrings. As the hopeless Inspector Tim begins his investigation , the burden falls on George’s flock, primarily led by Lily and Mopple, to find out their shepherd’s killer. Balda, who has previously directed films like Minions (2015) and Despicable Me 3 (2017) knows that a “cute film” won’t survive on its own. And that’s where writer Craig Mazin (acclaimed creator for Chernobyl and The Last of Us) comes in. Even in a bright, sunny film like this, Balda and Mazin are able to inject an underlying darkness. Like the concept of a ‘winter lamb’ – most members of the flock don’t consider them worthy of befriending. It could be a metaphor for the widespread distrust in the world. It’s also funny and slightly deliberate that the residents of a sleepy town like Denbrook can’t stand each other. As all characters are summoned around when the contents of George’s will are about to be disclosed, it becomes clear that they’re all embroiled in the dead man’s world one way or another. Nicholas Braun in ‘The Ship Detectives’. Photo: Screengrab from Youtube video/Amazon MGM Studios.I liked how the film juggled its humour, with pathos, real-world commentary, while also delivering on the typical murder mystery beats. There’s a sensational sequence when Lily and Mopple cross over to Caleb’s side of the farm, which is straight out of a horror movie. Among the voice actors: Louis-Dreyfus, O’Dowd and Cranston do the heavy-lifting. As the buffoonish inspector, completely out of his depth solving a murder case, it’s Braun’s Derry who has the most to do. Having broken out on HBO’s Succession, Braun is excellent as a bundle of nerves. Also, it’s remarkable how Thompson elevates any scene she’s in with her instinct and dismissive voice. In times of long, perpetuating conflicts, The Sheep Detectives glimmers with hope – for how it reclaims the ‘sheep’ of the world. Just because someone is sweet-natured and trusting doesn’t mean they’re stupid. By the end, there’s some light advocacy to not kill each other, which feels like timely advice. For a civilisation intent on burying the innocence and dignity of those who won’t fight back, a children’s film might be the best way to get the message across. And, Balda’s film more than gets the job done. The Sheep Detectives is playing in theatres.