As said many times, have always had a lifelong love of animation, old and new. Disney, Studio Ghibli, Hanna Barbera, Tom and Jerry, Hanna Barbera, Looney Tunes and also the works of Tex Avery and Fleischer. With a broader knowledge of animation styles, directors, studios and how it was all done actually love it even more now.
It's not just animation held in very high regard by me. Have also had an undying lifelong love for the classic stories of the Grimm Brothers. Their tales are beautifully written, full of soul, imagination and joy and enchanting in their own way, if quite dark in some stories and at times gruesome, and with many memorable characters that are iconic in literature. Their fame, importance and the timeless appeal of their stories are more than justified and Would see any adaptation of his work, animation or live-action, and there have been numerous times where his work has lent well to animation.
For an introduction to their stories if unfamiliar with them, this overlooked German animated series 'Simsala Grimm' (although there are a few episodes with other authors) fits the bill very nicely. Even those familiar with the stories are likely to find the series and how it approaches and tells the stories featured interesting. It was great to see the famous tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones. In its own right, 'Simsala Grimm' is quite well done, not one of my favourites but it's an interesting approach to the various stories and a great way to introduce newcomers to them, which will give them the want to read the stories.
While not quite perfect, 'Hansel and Gretel' is nicely done, an interesting animated adaptation, quite a faithful one though the source material is slightly darker, and well done on its own. Perfect for younger audiences and with enough to satisfy the older crowd.
Doc Croc and Yoyo are very entertaining and likeable characters and their roles in telling the story and playing roles in them, namely being helpful or being voices of reason, are done cleverly. Personally didn't find their scenes wasted time or felt like filler. Doc Croc is the more interesting personality and has some nice lines but there is a preference for the adorable and very funny Yoyo. Loved their interaction with the two titular characters, showing that they really cared for them, they serve a purpose here and don't intrude in the second half.
Most of 'Hansel and Gretel's' characters were written well. Gretel is still the resourceful and likeable character one expects, and one can understand her sadness in the gotten lost part of the story. Her, Hansel, Yoyo and Doc Croc interact well. The father is suitably benevolent and one feels for him. The best character though is the Witch, achieving the right balance of the sinister and the over-the-top. The voice acting fits all the characters well, apart from the stepmother.
Personally thought that the stepmother was irritating, especially her voice which was more the spiteful sister sort of voice in some animation, she is nasty in the source material but here she's not nasty enough and comes over as annoying.
Although they were integrated into the story well in the latter stages, did think that Yoyo and Doc Croc intruded slightly too much in a few of the early parts. Especially with pebbles, in the first half it did feel they were filling Hansel's role and since Gretel is the more interesting and resourceful character in the source material it did make Hansel very bland and somewhat useless perhaps.
More so than not, the story is engaging, ideally paced and entertaining and relaxing to watch, with emotional impact and cuteness. All the crucial scenes are done well, especially once the Witch is introduced, which makes the nightmares come true element of the story at this point all the more tense. There is plenty for youngsters, without being juvenile or dumbed down, while also enough for adults feeling nostalgic and traditionalists, despite being adaptation-wise fairly loose. The spirit of the story is more successfully handled than other episodes of the series, the basic essence there with all the recognisable elements of the story here. The climax is joyous at first and then 'Hansel and Gretel' ends quite movingly. The writing is neither too complicated or simplistic, and entertains and charms.
The animation is quite nice and easy on the eyes as an overall whole. Simple and not always imaginative, but generally colourful, nicely detailed, fluidly drawn and the charming traditional look was perfect. That gingerbread house is too good to eat. The music fits well and is dynamic. One of 'Hansel and Gretel's' best parts is the Witch's song, which is both catchy and creepy. The intro has a nostalgic charm and love the storybook once upon a time approach.
Concluding, nicely done. 7/10 Bethany Cox
It's not just animation held in very high regard by me. Have also had an undying lifelong love for the classic stories of the Grimm Brothers. Their tales are beautifully written, full of soul, imagination and joy and enchanting in their own way, if quite dark in some stories and at times gruesome, and with many memorable characters that are iconic in literature. Their fame, importance and the timeless appeal of their stories are more than justified and Would see any adaptation of his work, animation or live-action, and there have been numerous times where his work has lent well to animation.
For an introduction to their stories if unfamiliar with them, this overlooked German animated series 'Simsala Grimm' (although there are a few episodes with other authors) fits the bill very nicely. Even those familiar with the stories are likely to find the series and how it approaches and tells the stories featured interesting. It was great to see the famous tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones. In its own right, 'Simsala Grimm' is quite well done, not one of my favourites but it's an interesting approach to the various stories and a great way to introduce newcomers to them, which will give them the want to read the stories.
While not quite perfect, 'Hansel and Gretel' is nicely done, an interesting animated adaptation, quite a faithful one though the source material is slightly darker, and well done on its own. Perfect for younger audiences and with enough to satisfy the older crowd.
Doc Croc and Yoyo are very entertaining and likeable characters and their roles in telling the story and playing roles in them, namely being helpful or being voices of reason, are done cleverly. Personally didn't find their scenes wasted time or felt like filler. Doc Croc is the more interesting personality and has some nice lines but there is a preference for the adorable and very funny Yoyo. Loved their interaction with the two titular characters, showing that they really cared for them, they serve a purpose here and don't intrude in the second half.
Most of 'Hansel and Gretel's' characters were written well. Gretel is still the resourceful and likeable character one expects, and one can understand her sadness in the gotten lost part of the story. Her, Hansel, Yoyo and Doc Croc interact well. The father is suitably benevolent and one feels for him. The best character though is the Witch, achieving the right balance of the sinister and the over-the-top. The voice acting fits all the characters well, apart from the stepmother.
Personally thought that the stepmother was irritating, especially her voice which was more the spiteful sister sort of voice in some animation, she is nasty in the source material but here she's not nasty enough and comes over as annoying.
Although they were integrated into the story well in the latter stages, did think that Yoyo and Doc Croc intruded slightly too much in a few of the early parts. Especially with pebbles, in the first half it did feel they were filling Hansel's role and since Gretel is the more interesting and resourceful character in the source material it did make Hansel very bland and somewhat useless perhaps.
More so than not, the story is engaging, ideally paced and entertaining and relaxing to watch, with emotional impact and cuteness. All the crucial scenes are done well, especially once the Witch is introduced, which makes the nightmares come true element of the story at this point all the more tense. There is plenty for youngsters, without being juvenile or dumbed down, while also enough for adults feeling nostalgic and traditionalists, despite being adaptation-wise fairly loose. The spirit of the story is more successfully handled than other episodes of the series, the basic essence there with all the recognisable elements of the story here. The climax is joyous at first and then 'Hansel and Gretel' ends quite movingly. The writing is neither too complicated or simplistic, and entertains and charms.
The animation is quite nice and easy on the eyes as an overall whole. Simple and not always imaginative, but generally colourful, nicely detailed, fluidly drawn and the charming traditional look was perfect. That gingerbread house is too good to eat. The music fits well and is dynamic. One of 'Hansel and Gretel's' best parts is the Witch's song, which is both catchy and creepy. The intro has a nostalgic charm and love the storybook once upon a time approach.
Concluding, nicely done. 7/10 Bethany Cox
