From the first wistful violin tune that gracefully unveils the episode title, Over the Garden Wall entranced me. Of course, the very first episode starts with that excellent intro sequence that begins bizarrely with a spinning piano on which a singing frog delivers the first half of the theme song, The Loveliest Lies of All. The second half isn't delivered until the very end of the series but both are filled with gorgeous little vignettes that have even more significance and nostalgic meaning the second time around.
That frog's beautifully rich voice belongs to Jack Jones, renowned pop and jazz singer, who is just one of the voice actors that lend the cast of wonderfully bizarre and colourful characters that much more depth. The main two characters of OTGW are brothers Wirt and Greg, who are trying to find their way home but inadvertently get lost in the woods. Wirt, the elder brother, is voiced by Elijah Wood, who is wears a pointy red hat (shaped after his nose) and is a bundle of social anxiousness and nervousness, not overly so, but in a more endearing way. The second last episode in particular focuses on this aspect of him. The younger brother Greg is voiced by Collin Dean, who provides that childlike delight, wonder, imagination and naivety that only a real child voice actor can produce (looking at you Wreck It Ralph). He wears an upside down tea-kettle on his head, and is the source for much of the humour in OTGW, with his curiosity and innocence that clashes with Wirt's seriousness of their plight. His adorable sing-song voice (and later song) are instantly appealing.
Together they set off into the unknown as they meet a whole variety of odd situations and characters. The animation style perfectly blends the mellow beauty and the more sinister eerie settings they encounter. At times the painted backgrounds remind you of Miyazkai films with their attention to detail and captivating beauty. The art direction is phenomenal. As time goes on, autumn becomes winter and the colour palette shits from that of earthly browns and oranges to a colder, darker atmosphere of blues and snowy whites. Although the characters are designed with a more cartoonish appearance, this never derails them from the serious and ominous scenes that showcase real danger for the brothers. There's an assortment of weird and wonderful fairytale fantasy characters that provide laughs but also contemplation and emotion. They feature some impressive voice actors that turn the peculiar, the creepy and the charming beyond a cartoon's expectations. Some familiar names include John Cleese, Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd and Thomas Lennon, but don't be surprised if you don't immediately recognise them.
Over the Garden Wall is dished out in 10 episodes, each about 10-11 minutes long. The brothers go from setting to setting and meet new characters along the way, but it never feels rushed or confusing. They even jump between time periods of old America with a melancholic and fitting soundtrack to match, but lend an eager hand to the audience. Without spoiling anything, often you'll expect the story to go one way but it will go in a completely different and unique direction, but always keeping within its tone. Bits and pieces of their journey may seem insignificant but are quite important later, and the emotional punch of the last episode is one that builds upon the previous stories to great effect. The very last shot is particularly poignant.
If you have a spare 2 hours, give this miniseries a watch. Over the Garden Wall will draw you into its magical world.
That frog's beautifully rich voice belongs to Jack Jones, renowned pop and jazz singer, who is just one of the voice actors that lend the cast of wonderfully bizarre and colourful characters that much more depth. The main two characters of OTGW are brothers Wirt and Greg, who are trying to find their way home but inadvertently get lost in the woods. Wirt, the elder brother, is voiced by Elijah Wood, who is wears a pointy red hat (shaped after his nose) and is a bundle of social anxiousness and nervousness, not overly so, but in a more endearing way. The second last episode in particular focuses on this aspect of him. The younger brother Greg is voiced by Collin Dean, who provides that childlike delight, wonder, imagination and naivety that only a real child voice actor can produce (looking at you Wreck It Ralph). He wears an upside down tea-kettle on his head, and is the source for much of the humour in OTGW, with his curiosity and innocence that clashes with Wirt's seriousness of their plight. His adorable sing-song voice (and later song) are instantly appealing.
Together they set off into the unknown as they meet a whole variety of odd situations and characters. The animation style perfectly blends the mellow beauty and the more sinister eerie settings they encounter. At times the painted backgrounds remind you of Miyazkai films with their attention to detail and captivating beauty. The art direction is phenomenal. As time goes on, autumn becomes winter and the colour palette shits from that of earthly browns and oranges to a colder, darker atmosphere of blues and snowy whites. Although the characters are designed with a more cartoonish appearance, this never derails them from the serious and ominous scenes that showcase real danger for the brothers. There's an assortment of weird and wonderful fairytale fantasy characters that provide laughs but also contemplation and emotion. They feature some impressive voice actors that turn the peculiar, the creepy and the charming beyond a cartoon's expectations. Some familiar names include John Cleese, Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd and Thomas Lennon, but don't be surprised if you don't immediately recognise them.
Over the Garden Wall is dished out in 10 episodes, each about 10-11 minutes long. The brothers go from setting to setting and meet new characters along the way, but it never feels rushed or confusing. They even jump between time periods of old America with a melancholic and fitting soundtrack to match, but lend an eager hand to the audience. Without spoiling anything, often you'll expect the story to go one way but it will go in a completely different and unique direction, but always keeping within its tone. Bits and pieces of their journey may seem insignificant but are quite important later, and the emotional punch of the last episode is one that builds upon the previous stories to great effect. The very last shot is particularly poignant.
If you have a spare 2 hours, give this miniseries a watch. Over the Garden Wall will draw you into its magical world.