Sir Billi received extremely negative reviews from critics and audiences. On
Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds
an approval rating of, based on reviews, with an average rating of . On
Metacritic, the film has a
weighted average score of 17 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "overwhelming dislike". The negative reaction was widely reported in the British press.
Peter Bradshaw of
The Guardian rated the film one star out of five, saying that Connery's role "can't lend interest to this tedious, crudely animated, bafflingly conceived cartoon feature […]." He also criticised the story and screenplay, and he calls the movie "so cheaply and unimaginatively made it would hardly pass muster on children's TV." He concluded that Connery "bestowed on this project [and] has blown a very moderate idea out of all proportion." Peter Debruge of
Variety called it "woefully anemic", criticising its "simplistic story and non-sequitur style". Furthermore, he also pointed out a few in-jokes referencing Connery's past role as
James Bond, such as a title sequence featuring a
Shirley Bassey song that pastiches Bond themes. Siobhan Synnot of
The Scotsman called it "mirthless" and "rudimentary". Russ Fischer of
SlashFilm criticised it as an "ignominious" end to Connery's career, even compared to his previous film, the critically reviled
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Fred Patten of
Flayrah called the CG "the ugliest that I have ever seen". Journalist Lisa Summers was also harshly critical of both the CGI and the story.
F Bomb Movie Review felt it badly failed to connect with today's children.
Evening Standard rates the film also one star out of five, criticising the plot, "hideous CGI, and wannabe sophisticated jokes that cause the greatest pain."
Tracy Moore of
Common Sense Media gave the film a 2 out of 4 star rating, writing: "GUARDIAN OF THE HIGHLANDS has a bit of an identity crisis: It's an animated children's movie about saving an endangered beaver but with the winking sultriness at times of a grown-up action movie. It borrows heavily from James Bond in the introduction, action, and treatment of female characters, who are often shown with heaving, exaggerated cleavage. There are some nice ideas about preserving wildlife and endangered species, and the community must work together to save the day against the evil corporation and corrupt officers. And fans of Sean Connery may enjoy his wisecracking role as a veterinarian/skateboarder/ladies' man. But there's a bit of a mishmash of action and jokes here without a lot of meaningful plot development and some iffy portrayals that muddle the positive messages". In his review of the movie's DVD release,
Stuart Galbraith IV of
DVD Talk criticised the character designs "look singularly rudimentary, unfinished, and thoroughly unreal," especially a "misbegotten" character, Gordon the Goat and the main titular character calling it "deliberately meant to resemble Connery or not, but if so then it's a singularly unflattering caricature." He also criticised the animation for its "singularly ugly computer-generated." Overall, he calls out the film "ugly animation might have been overlooked had the film's story and characters been more charming and interesting, but instead they just add to the film's many problems." Despite the negative reception,
AM FM Magazine said
Sir Billi was well received on its premiere at the
Sonoma International Film Festival. == References ==