Whether old and new and regardless of style, have always had a love for animation, and have made that obvious many times to the point of it being common knowledge now. Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry were the earliest examples and influences watched regularly when younger and regularly re-visited now. With a broader knowledge, love it just as much as when a child through young adult eyes and even more so actually.
Also always have loved the classic stories fairy tales. They 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 memorable and sometimes classic characters and relevant morals. Their fame, importance and the timelessness of their stories are justifiable and would see any adaptation work, animation or live-action, and there have been numerous times where fairy-tales and the Grimm Brothers stories have lent well to animation.
This overlooked German animated series 'Simsala Grimm' (although there are more episodes with other authors, with an expansion of the Simsala universe) fits the bill of introducing one to these stories well. Even those familiar with the stories are likely to find the series and how it tells the stories featured interesting. It was great to see the famous and oft-adapted tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones. In its own right, 'Simsala Grimm' is a pleasant watch, not one of my favourites but the approach to the various stories is interesting and a great way to introduce newcomers to these stories, which will give them the want to read the stories. None of the episodes are definitive adaptations though.
While not quite perfect, 'Hans in Luck' is for me among the high middle 'Simsala Grimm' episodes. It has enough for younger viewers and adults shouldn't find it too much of a chore.
Not the best in terms of dialogue, some of it is corny, and the character designs could have had more variety and are rather too similar to those from other episodes.
Pacing could have been tighter too.
Doc Croc and Yoyo though entertain and endear as characters and their roles in telling the story and playing roles in them, namely being helpful or being voices of reason, are done cleverly. They do fit within the story well, serve a point and their involvement doesn't feel like padding. Some episodes have had that notion, but not here. Am especially fond of Yoyo here, he is cute but he is also very funny.
'Hans in Luck's' characters are interesting in personality, with a worth identifying with titular character. The voice acting fit the characters well, being emotive and fitting the characters' personalities without being over the top or passive.
More so than not, the story is engaging, ideally paced and entertaining and relaxing to watch. All the crucial scenes are done well and although the story is a slight one it's never dull. There is plenty for youngsters, without being juvenile or dumbed down, while also being too much of a long haul for adults. The writing does not fall into the traps of being too complicated or too simple.
Quite nice too generally is the animation, despite the too similar character designs. Maybe not always imaginative, but generally there is some nice colour, nice attention to detail, fluid drawing and it is hard to not love the charming traditional approach. The music fits well and is dynamic with an inspiring main theme. The intro is nostalgically charming way with an endearing storybook once upon a time approach.
Concluding, worth a look. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Also always have loved the classic stories fairy tales. They 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 memorable and sometimes classic characters and relevant morals. Their fame, importance and the timelessness of their stories are justifiable and would see any adaptation work, animation or live-action, and there have been numerous times where fairy-tales and the Grimm Brothers stories have lent well to animation.
This overlooked German animated series 'Simsala Grimm' (although there are more episodes with other authors, with an expansion of the Simsala universe) fits the bill of introducing one to these stories well. Even those familiar with the stories are likely to find the series and how it tells the stories featured interesting. It was great to see the famous and oft-adapted tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones. In its own right, 'Simsala Grimm' is a pleasant watch, not one of my favourites but the approach to the various stories is interesting and a great way to introduce newcomers to these stories, which will give them the want to read the stories. None of the episodes are definitive adaptations though.
While not quite perfect, 'Hans in Luck' is for me among the high middle 'Simsala Grimm' episodes. It has enough for younger viewers and adults shouldn't find it too much of a chore.
Not the best in terms of dialogue, some of it is corny, and the character designs could have had more variety and are rather too similar to those from other episodes.
Pacing could have been tighter too.
Doc Croc and Yoyo though entertain and endear as characters and their roles in telling the story and playing roles in them, namely being helpful or being voices of reason, are done cleverly. They do fit within the story well, serve a point and their involvement doesn't feel like padding. Some episodes have had that notion, but not here. Am especially fond of Yoyo here, he is cute but he is also very funny.
'Hans in Luck's' characters are interesting in personality, with a worth identifying with titular character. The voice acting fit the characters well, being emotive and fitting the characters' personalities without being over the top or passive.
More so than not, the story is engaging, ideally paced and entertaining and relaxing to watch. All the crucial scenes are done well and although the story is a slight one it's never dull. There is plenty for youngsters, without being juvenile or dumbed down, while also being too much of a long haul for adults. The writing does not fall into the traps of being too complicated or too simple.
Quite nice too generally is the animation, despite the too similar character designs. Maybe not always imaginative, but generally there is some nice colour, nice attention to detail, fluid drawing and it is hard to not love the charming traditional approach. The music fits well and is dynamic with an inspiring main theme. The intro is nostalgically charming way with an endearing storybook once upon a time approach.
Concluding, worth a look. 7/10 Bethany Cox