The fantasy genre has always been my favorite because one of the best things about it is in the world that it takes place. The fantasy world is always fascinating because there is just so much that is different and similar that contrasts to the modern day reality. It's a nice form of escapism because it's just always fun to want to see or find something different constantly as opposed to what we are use to every day.
This mini series is one of my favorite TV shows of all time, it was just one of those surprises I've been looking for.
The story I think is great, it's imaginative and original despite being nothing new in format it's similar to Lewis Caroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass". Like in those stories it's about an individual that gets lost in an disorienting fantasy world. But why this story stands out is in it's execution and the fact that it uses this kind of format shows the timeless quality of the fantasy genre.
The animation I personally think is excellent, I like the character animation which fits them perfectly, however it's really the background animation that stands out the most which I think look just beautiful. From the woods where just mere panels could be another background painting for an art gallery.
I really love the fantasy world created, it seems to be a mixture of decades from the 1700s, 1800s, to the early 1900. From certain housing structures, customs, clothing, music, just about everything you see along the way. It is so rich in depth, I always wished there could of been more episodes to explore this world more. The atmosphere is always wondrous, unpredictable, strange, and really creepy/eerie all at once which makes this all the more great. The show knows when to be fun but also knows when to be dark which I really love, there's no water down bull crap, this show really behaves and acts like a really fairy tale/fantasy story.
I even like the music which I think is great, most of the music sounds like the kind you would play on a gramophone. The style of music they used is late 1800's and early 1900's music, it perfectly fits the world it takes place and the songs are memorable like "Potatoes and Molases" and my favorite which is one of my favorite theme songs of all "The Lovelyest lies of all."
The characters are excellent, from the main characters to some of the supporting characters they run into. I really love the dynamics going on from Wurt and Greg whom felt like real brothers and in a way you could say it's almost a Freudian dynamic in a way Wurt is the superego and Greg is the id. I also like the dynamic they have with Betrice, where she is both a guide and a foil at the same time.
Wurt (Eliah Wood) is true to his name as his character as he is pretty much a worry wort throughout the journey. He's ill confidant, non assertive and practically has some low self esteem issues. This character really does have a fascinating character arc, because deep down he really does have strong confidence he just needs to climb a few step more to get there. As the journey goes on you do see him grow a little as we see him take charge more and do what he has to do because there's no one else that will except him.
Greg he is really funny and fun. He is a highly imaginative kid just high in spirits you can never bring him down. What I love about him and it's something I can emphasize with is that he just loves to do whatever he feels like doing, he doesn't care what other people think of him if something makes him happy he acts on in, some would say this would make Greg ridiculous and mad well in the words of the Cheshere Cat from "Alice in Wonderland" "I'm mad your mad, were all mad." However really does contribute and help out in whatever way he can and that's another thing I love about the character is he's selfless, he really does care and love his brother. In a way he's sort of the rock for Wurt and even Betrice as their spirits are somewhat low he reinforces their by keeping his up and lightening things up.
Berice (Melanie Lynskey) she is really funny. Her character comes off a tad unlikeable at first as she is kinda guilty of anti social behavior she's kinda off putting, a bit self centered. But what I like about her is that the grumpier she gets in her desperation and lothing of being a bluebird she gets sweeter. We also see her also have a fascinating character arc, throughout the journey she learns to be more courteous, admits to her own faults and even begins to open up to Wurt a little and also does what she has to do.
One thing that really interesting is throughout the show you begin to discover in a way this is really more Wurt's journey and it's really about him finding himself, which in a way is sort of the theme of this show. Each of the characters have lost something or have gotten lost somewhere along the line. It all about finding what is lost in your life or within yourself in order to live life with more fulfillment than before.
This is a garden with plenty of strange beauty to get lost in.
Rating: 4 stars
This mini series is one of my favorite TV shows of all time, it was just one of those surprises I've been looking for.
The story I think is great, it's imaginative and original despite being nothing new in format it's similar to Lewis Caroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass". Like in those stories it's about an individual that gets lost in an disorienting fantasy world. But why this story stands out is in it's execution and the fact that it uses this kind of format shows the timeless quality of the fantasy genre.
The animation I personally think is excellent, I like the character animation which fits them perfectly, however it's really the background animation that stands out the most which I think look just beautiful. From the woods where just mere panels could be another background painting for an art gallery.
I really love the fantasy world created, it seems to be a mixture of decades from the 1700s, 1800s, to the early 1900. From certain housing structures, customs, clothing, music, just about everything you see along the way. It is so rich in depth, I always wished there could of been more episodes to explore this world more. The atmosphere is always wondrous, unpredictable, strange, and really creepy/eerie all at once which makes this all the more great. The show knows when to be fun but also knows when to be dark which I really love, there's no water down bull crap, this show really behaves and acts like a really fairy tale/fantasy story.
I even like the music which I think is great, most of the music sounds like the kind you would play on a gramophone. The style of music they used is late 1800's and early 1900's music, it perfectly fits the world it takes place and the songs are memorable like "Potatoes and Molases" and my favorite which is one of my favorite theme songs of all "The Lovelyest lies of all."
The characters are excellent, from the main characters to some of the supporting characters they run into. I really love the dynamics going on from Wurt and Greg whom felt like real brothers and in a way you could say it's almost a Freudian dynamic in a way Wurt is the superego and Greg is the id. I also like the dynamic they have with Betrice, where she is both a guide and a foil at the same time.
Wurt (Eliah Wood) is true to his name as his character as he is pretty much a worry wort throughout the journey. He's ill confidant, non assertive and practically has some low self esteem issues. This character really does have a fascinating character arc, because deep down he really does have strong confidence he just needs to climb a few step more to get there. As the journey goes on you do see him grow a little as we see him take charge more and do what he has to do because there's no one else that will except him.
Greg he is really funny and fun. He is a highly imaginative kid just high in spirits you can never bring him down. What I love about him and it's something I can emphasize with is that he just loves to do whatever he feels like doing, he doesn't care what other people think of him if something makes him happy he acts on in, some would say this would make Greg ridiculous and mad well in the words of the Cheshere Cat from "Alice in Wonderland" "I'm mad your mad, were all mad." However really does contribute and help out in whatever way he can and that's another thing I love about the character is he's selfless, he really does care and love his brother. In a way he's sort of the rock for Wurt and even Betrice as their spirits are somewhat low he reinforces their by keeping his up and lightening things up.
Berice (Melanie Lynskey) she is really funny. Her character comes off a tad unlikeable at first as she is kinda guilty of anti social behavior she's kinda off putting, a bit self centered. But what I like about her is that the grumpier she gets in her desperation and lothing of being a bluebird she gets sweeter. We also see her also have a fascinating character arc, throughout the journey she learns to be more courteous, admits to her own faults and even begins to open up to Wurt a little and also does what she has to do.
One thing that really interesting is throughout the show you begin to discover in a way this is really more Wurt's journey and it's really about him finding himself, which in a way is sort of the theme of this show. Each of the characters have lost something or have gotten lost somewhere along the line. It all about finding what is lost in your life or within yourself in order to live life with more fulfillment than before.
This is a garden with plenty of strange beauty to get lost in.
Rating: 4 stars