REVIEW: The Sheep Detectives (2026 Film) - Starring Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, and Emma Thompson

Review by Jon Donnis

Family films often struggle to balance broad comedy, emotional storytelling and a compelling plot, but The Sheep Detectives manages to bring all three together with surprising confidence. Directed by Kyle Balda and based on Leonie Swann's beloved novel Three Bags Full, this mystery comedy takes an undeniably unusual premise and turns it into one of the most entertaining family adventures of the year. What could have been little more than a novelty quickly develops into a genuinely engaging whodunnit, packed with humour, heart and enough twists to keep both children and adults invested from beginning to end.

The story follows a flock of sheep whose lives are thrown into turmoil after the death of their shepherd, George Hardy, played by Hugh Jackman. Having spent years listening to George read detective novels aloud, the sheep have unknowingly absorbed all the lessons needed to become investigators themselves. As the local police struggle to piece together the truth, the flock embarks on its own investigation, uncovering secrets hidden beneath the surface of their quiet English village.

One of the film's greatest strengths is the mystery itself. Family films often simplify their plots for younger audiences, but The Sheep Detectives refuses to take that route. Instead, it presents a genuinely satisfying investigation filled with red herrings, hidden motives and surprising revelations. The screenplay trusts viewers to follow the clues, creating a story that feels rewarding rather than predictable. While adults will appreciate the structure of the mystery, younger viewers are given enough humour and character moments to remain engaged throughout.

The voice cast is exceptional. Julia Louis-Dreyfus brings warmth, intelligence and determination to Lily, the flock's self-appointed detective, while Chris O'Dowd delivers many of the film's funniest moments as the endlessly memorable Mopple. Bryan Cranston gives Sebastian a surprising amount of depth, transforming what could have been a simple supporting role into one of the film's emotional anchors. Across the board, the sheep are far more memorable than many of the human characters, which is ultimately a compliment considering how much personality the filmmakers manage to give each member of the flock.

That success extends to the film's emotional core. Beneath the comedy lies a surprisingly mature exploration of grief, memory and loss. Like Babe and Homeward Bound before it, The Sheep Detectives treats younger viewers with a level of respect that is becoming increasingly rare in family entertainment. Difficult themes are not avoided or softened beyond recognition. Instead, they are presented in a thoughtful and accessible way that allows the story to carry genuine emotional weight. Some of the film's most effective moments arrive when it slows down and allows its characters to process what has happened rather than rushing towards the next joke.

The film also deserves praise for its tone. Family features often feel frightened of sincerity, constantly undercutting emotional scenes with a joke or reference. The Sheep Detectives embraces earnest storytelling without embarrassment. The result is perhaps the most tonally surprising family film of the year so far, a genuinely heartfelt PG-rated adventure that succeeds through strong characters and timeless storytelling rather than relying on irony or cynicism. Its confidence in well-worn storytelling traditions proves remarkably effective.

Visually, the film creates a charming countryside setting that perfectly suits the story. The village, meadows and farms feel inviting while still maintaining enough atmosphere to support the murder mystery elements. The contrast between the picturesque surroundings and the darker investigation creates much of the film's appeal.

If there is a significant weakness, it is the running time. At 1 hour and 49 minutes, The Sheep Detectives occasionally stretches beyond what its youngest audience members may comfortably sit through. While the mystery remains engaging, some sections feel slightly overextended and a tighter edit could have improved the pacing. Children may begin to lose focus during certain middle portions before the film regains momentum heading into its final act.

Even so, the lengthy runtime does little to diminish the overall achievement. This is a truly lovely and consistently funny family film that never forgets the importance of telling a good story. The mystery is clever, the characters are charming and the emotional moments land exactly as intended. Most impressively of all, the sheep completely steal the spotlight, often overshadowing Hugh Jackman despite his strong performance.

The Sheep Detectives may well become one of the year's biggest surprises. It delivers laughs, mystery, emotion and genuine heart in equal measure, creating a family film that appeals across generations. In an era where family entertainment often struggles to connect with audiences of all ages, this one succeeds with remarkable ease.

The Sheep Detectives is an excellent family film and earns a strong 9 out of 10.

Out Now on Prime Video https://amzn.to/4f1kODW

REVIEW: Ladies First (2026 film) Starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike

Review by Jon Donnis

Ladies First, directed by Thea Sharrock, is a 2026 American comedy centred on Damien Sachs, an advertising executive whose life is turned upside down when he is thrust into a parallel world where women hold the dominant positions in society and business. Damien, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, begins as a powerful and self assured figure at the Atlas advertising agency, where he is on the verge of becoming chief executive. After manipulating a pitch meeting for a Guinness beer campaign aimed at women and being forced to promote a woman to cover his lie, he selects Alex Fox, a long serving but overlooked creative director played by Rosamund Pike. This decision sets off the chain of events that leads to his collapse into an alternate reality.

In this new version of the world, Atlas has been reshaped by reversed gender power structures. Alex Fox, who was previously a sidelined creative at the company, now occupies the senior leadership role Damien once held. Ruby, Damien’s assistant played by Emily Mortimer, has been promoted into an executive position. Felicity Chase, played by Fiona Shaw, is now the chief executive of the company, while Fred Powell, played by Charles Dance, has been reduced from senior leadership to a more subservient assistant role. Even Glenda, formerly a cleaning staff member, now sits as chair of the board. Damien struggles to understand this new order and is later told by a mysterious figure known as the Pigeon Man, played by Richard E Grant, that he must reclaim power within this world if he is to return home.

There are clear strengths in the film’s cast and its central premise. Sacha Baron Cohen fully commits to Damien’s descent from control into confusion, while Rosamund Pike gives Alex Fox a steady authority that grounds the more exaggerated ideas around them. The supporting cast, including Emily Mortimer as Ruby, Fiona Shaw as Felicity Chase, Charles Dance as Fred Powell and Richard E Grant as the Pigeon Man, helps to establish a recognisable corporate environment even when the narrative becomes increasingly surreal. The initial concept has clear satirical potential, and there are moments where the reversal of workplace roles creates a sharp, if fleeting, sense of comic tension.

The weaknesses become more apparent as the film progresses. The central idea is repeated rather than expanded, with Damien repeatedly placed into situations that mirror his earlier behaviour, which quickly becomes predictable. The comedy relies heavily on humiliation and reversal without introducing enough variation, and the tone settles into a familiar pattern of setup and correction. As a result, the satire loses some of its bite, and what begins as an interesting premise gradually flattens into a more conventional redemption story.

By the final act, Damien returns to his original world after another collapse in the parallel reality. Back at Atlas, he attempts to change his behaviour and make amends, including offering Alex Fox a more meaningful leadership role within the company. Alex’s campaign idea proves successful, while Damien steps back from his earlier arrogance and accepts a shift in outlook. The story closes with a sense of reset, while the Pigeon Man begins the process again with another man drawn into the reversed world.

Ladies First has a strong concept and an impressive cast, but it struggles to develop its premise beyond repetition. The gags fall flat as the one joke structure is stretched across feature length, and the comedy funnels into a predictable arc of comeuppance and redemption. It feels like a sketch idea expanded too far, with limited progression beyond the initial reversal concept. 

The film ultimately comes across as 40 years too late in its idea, relying on workplace gender reversal humour that no longer feels relevant. In a modern context, where women have already held the highest political offices, including three female Prime Ministers in the UK, and where claims around workplace inequality such as a gender pay gap are widely contested in the way the film frames them, the satire feels blunt rather than sharp. As a result it becomes uneven and predictable, never quite delivering on the sharper satirical potential it hints at early on. 

The result is a concept that should have worked better in another era, but here feels overstretched and underpowered. It scores a 4 out of 10.

Out Now on Netflix

PREVIEW: The Wrecking Crew (2026 Film) Starring Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa

James (Dave Bautista) and Jonny (Jason Momoa) in THE WRECKING CREW

Images: Courtesy of Prime Video

Preview by Jon Donnis

Prime Video has confirmed a release date for The Wrecking Crew, the new action comedy starring Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa. The film lands on the service on 28 January 2026 and brings together two of the most recognisable physical performers working today in a story built around family fractures, buried truths and escalating mayhem.

Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, the filmmaker behind Blue Beetle, the film centres on estranged half brothers Jonny and James. Played by Momoa and Bautista respectively, the pair are forced back into each other's lives following their father's mysterious death. What begins as an uneasy reunion quickly turns into a deeper search for answers, as long hidden secrets begin to surface and loyalties are pushed to breaking point. At the heart of the story sits a conspiracy that threatens to tear the family apart, leaving the brothers little choice but to face it together.

The screenplay comes from Jonathan Tropper, with production handled by Jeff Fierson, Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris. The cast surrounding the two leads is extensive, with Claes Bang, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Frankie Adams and Miyavi all appearing, alongside Stephen Root and Morena Baccarin. The ensemble suggests a mix of intensity and humour, fitting the film's action comedy tone.

Set against the streets of Hawaii, The Wrecking Crew leans into its location as the backdrop for both its emotional confrontations and its physical set pieces. With a running time of two hours and two minutes, the film positions itself as a full scale genre piece, blending explosive action with family driven drama. As the brothers dig deeper into the truth, they make it clear they are ready to wreck anything that stands in their way.

REVIEW: Zootopia 2 (2025 Film) - Stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, Alan Tudyk, Nate Torrence, Don Lake, Bonnie Hunt and Jenny Slate

Review by Jon Donnis

Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Zootopia 2" reunites audiences with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde in a sequel that embraces both comedy and heart. Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, this 2025 follow-up offers a fresh mystery centred on a cunning pit viper shaking up Zootopia. The film carries forward the spirit of the original while expanding the city's landscape and delving into more layered societal issues.

The plot sees Judy and Nick, newly partnered at the ZPD, navigating clashing personalities while attempting to crack the case of a mysterious reptile. Their investigation leads them to the Zootenial Gala, secret reptile enclaves, and the forgotten corners of Tundratown. The story's complexity is balanced with humour, clever dialogue, and tender moments, particularly as Judy and Nick confront the challenges of trust, partnership, and justice. Ke Huy Quan's Gary De'Snake brings unexpected warmth to the narrative, while Andy Samberg's Pawbert provides a mischievous foil.

One of Zootopia 2's strongest elements is its humour. It lands for all ages, with jokes that entertain children while sprinkling in winks adults can appreciate. The film also carries a resonant message about acceptance and recognising the contributions of those historically overlooked, echoing themes from the original but adding new depth. The animation remains top-notch, with vibrant cityscapes and lively character expressions that make the world feel lived-in and expansive.

However, the film is not without flaws. At over 1 hour 45 minutes, it feels a touch overlong for an animated feature, occasionally losing the brisk momentum that made the first film so engaging. While it does an admirable job of building on the original, it does not quite reach the same magic, leaving the original's sharpness slightly overshadowed.

Despite these minor issues, Zootopia 2 succeeds as a thoughtful, fun, and visually delightful sequel. It balances humour, adventure, and emotional stakes while offering a story that challenges its characters and, subtly, its audience. It is a full movie-going experience that families can enjoy together, packed with memorable moments and a meaningful message about moving forward while honouring the past.

Zootopia 2 is an excellent sequel that delivers on both laughs and heart. I score it a solid 9 out of 10.

Out Now in Cinemas

PREVIEW: Vinnie Plays Vegas (2025 Documentary) Starring Vinnie Favorito

Preview by Jon Donnis

Comedian, quick-fire insult artist and infamous high-stakes gambler, Vinnie Favorito is the subject of Vinnie Plays Vegas, a new documentary charting his meteoric rise and dramatic downfall. Directed by Brian Burkhardt in his debut feature, the film offers an unflinching portrait of a man who once had the Las Vegas comedy scene in the palm of his hand, only to lose it all to a crippling gambling addiction. Set for a UK digital release on 18 August via Miracle Media, it promises a compelling mix of laughs, scandal and sobering reality.

Vinnie's journey began in the bustling Boston stand-up scene in 1986, performing alongside soon-to-be comedy heavyweights like David Cross, Joe Rogan, Nick Di Paolo and Louis C.K. His sharp tongue and unfiltered approach to comedy quickly became his signature, carving a path that led straight to Las Vegas. It was here that Favorito truly thrived, and where the seeds of his downfall were sown. Vegas seemed tailor-made for his style, a city that embraced his brashness and gave him the stage to perfect his craft. But as Vinnie Plays Vegas reveals, the same environment that brought him success also fed his worst habits.

The documentary doesn't shy away from the darker chapters of his life. From his long-running Vegas residency to the spiralling gambling debts and desperate loans that eventually torched his reputation, the film paints a portrait of a man both celebrated and scorned. Through candid interviews with friends, fellow comedians and those left burned by his schemes, audiences are given rare insight into the highs and lows of the Vegas comedy circuit, as well as the personal cost of living life in the fast lane.

Vinnie Plays Vegas also raises the question of whether redemption is even possible for someone who has betrayed so many. Is there a path back for a performer who made audiences roar but left a trail of mistrust behind him? Burkhardt's film doesn't offer easy answers, instead letting viewers draw their own conclusions about guilt, forgiveness and the price of ambition.

Hitting UK digital platforms on 18 August, Vinnie Plays Vegas invites audiences to take a seat in the front row for a story that's as outrageous as it is sobering, a raw look at a comedian whose greatest gamble was on himself, and who learned the hard way that the house always wins.

Vinnie Plays Vegas is on UK digital 18 August (Miracle Media)

Apple TV - https://apple.co/4mKDGs3

REVIEW: The Naked Gun (2025 Film) - Starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson

Review by Jon Donnis

The Naked Gun (2025) had me grinning within minutes. It doesn't waste time setting up the tone. Straight away, we're watching Frank Drebin Jr, son of the late, great Lt Frank Drebin, bust a bank robbery while dressed as a schoolgirl. It's ridiculous, over the top, and exactly the kind of humour I was hoping for. Turns out, this whole thing was just a distraction so someone could swipe a device called the P.L.O.T. Device from a deposit box.

From there, Drebin's heavy-handed approach to justice gets him reassigned. He visits his father's memorial and even asks for a sign of approval in the form of an owl. The plot properly kicks in when a software engineer, Simon Davenport, dies in what looks like a suicide. Drebin spots a clue at the scene that ties back to a nightclub owned by Simon's boss, Richard Cane, a tech billionaire with a sinister plan. Cane wants to use the P.L.O.T. Device to revert humanity to its most savage state, all while the rich hide safely underground.

The film packs in gag after gag. Some of them land front and centre, others sneak in the background for you to catch on a second watch. There's a set-piece with a self-driving car Cane donates to the police that spirals into pure chaos. A nightclub scene where Beth Davenport, Simon's sister, distracts Cane with some of the worst scat singing you'll ever hear. And then, yes, a romantic weekend that somehow involves a living snowman. You know exactly what kind of film you're watching by that point.

Liam Neeson nails it as Drebin Jr. He plays it totally straight, which makes the absurdity around him even funnier. Pamela Anderson brings more spark than you might expect as Beth, and Danny Huston is perfect as the smooth but unhinged villain. The cameos are great fun too, with a few I didn't see coming.

If you've never liked the old Naked Gun films or Police Squad, this probably won't change your mind. It's the same style of humour, and I mean exactly the same. That's why it works though. It's not trying to reinvent anything. It's here to give you the kind of silly, rapid-fire comedy we haven't had in years. My only gripe is there's just one Nordberg gag. I get why they held back, but a few more awkward references could have been comedy gold.

I went in a bit nervous, thinking it might tarnish the legacy. Instead, I came out wanting to see it again. I laughed out loud all the way through. For me, it's a solid 9 out of 10.

In Cinemas NOW!

If you are new to this kind of comedy, and enjoyed the film, make sure you check out the original films, they truly are comedy gold.

https://amzn.to/4lfbJHL

PREVIEW: The Pickup (2025 Film) - Starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer

Preview by Jon Donnis

Starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer, the film brings together two generations of comedy for a fast-paced, chaotic ride. It mixes heart-pounding action with sharp humour, unpredictable mishaps, and an explosive partnership between old-school experience and new-wave energy.

Directed by Tim Story, known for The Blackening, Barbershop and Ride Along, the film blends big action with comedy from a cast that includes Marshawn Lynch, Joe "Roman Reigns" Anoa'i, Andrew Dice Clay and Ismael Cruz Córdova.

Murphy plays Russell and Davidson plays Travis, two mismatched armoured truck drivers whose routine cash pickup spirals out of control. They're ambushed by a group of ruthless criminals, led by Zoe, played by Keke Palmer. Her plans go far beyond what's in the truck. What follows is a day full of high-risk danger and clashing personalities, where everything that can go wrong, does.

The Pickup is directed by Tim Story and written by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider.

Producers are John Davis, John Fox, Eddie Murphy, Tim Story and Charisse Hewitt-Webster.

The cast includes Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Jack Kesy, Andrew Dice Clay, Marshawn Lynch, Joe "Roman Reigns" Anoa'i and Keke Palmer.

Run time: 1 hour, 34 minutes.

Genre: Action, Comedy.

Streaming exclusively on Prime Video from 6 August.

https://amzn.to/4mk0PSt