As part of their series of children's literature adaptations, Rabbit Ears Productions did a series of adaptations based on American Heroes and Legends from 1992 to 1994. Not just Annie Oakley (also the subject with great success of the musical 'Annie Get Your Gun', though that is to be judged as a standalone), but also Rip Van Winkle, John Henry and Davy Crockett. And quite brilliantly, absolutely love many of the company's adaptations and even the not as brilliant ones are still well done in a number of areas.
While not one of my favourites quite of Rabbit Ears Productions' American Heroes and Legends adaptations, do prefer 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'John Henry', 'Annie Oakley' is still great and will be ideal for children and adults alike. It is a great and accessible way to get children introduced to the character and her story, both entertaining, and anybody that likes their adaptations of childrens/family literature recognisable and done with respect to the original source material while with enough to set it apart tastefully should find much to admire with 'Annie Oakley'. Speaking as one of those people.
Other Rabbit Ears Productions adaptations appeal to me more visually, with character designs being more consistently refined in other work of theirs, but the drawing is still striking and effective in its relative simplicity (while never looking too limited). A big star here in 'Annie Oakley' is the music of Los Lobos, did have a fear that their music would be out of place and jar too much stylistically. Actually though it gives the adaptation a real spirited energy which the tale needs.
Keith Carradine was an interesting choice for narrator, which required a Will Rogers-like vibe, and again was not sure initially as to whether he would fit and be too intense. He is actually immensely engaging and quite humorous, voicing with real enthusiasm and savouring the character-filled dialogue. Which crackles with fun and isn't ever too simple or too complicated.
Loved the exciting adventurous element of the storytelling and the tremendous energy that comes with it. Annie is both charismatic and endearing.
Concluding, great if not one of my favourites of the American Heroes and Legends adaptations from Rabbit Ears Productions or of their whole oeuvre. 9/10
While not one of my favourites quite of Rabbit Ears Productions' American Heroes and Legends adaptations, do prefer 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'John Henry', 'Annie Oakley' is still great and will be ideal for children and adults alike. It is a great and accessible way to get children introduced to the character and her story, both entertaining, and anybody that likes their adaptations of childrens/family literature recognisable and done with respect to the original source material while with enough to set it apart tastefully should find much to admire with 'Annie Oakley'. Speaking as one of those people.
Other Rabbit Ears Productions adaptations appeal to me more visually, with character designs being more consistently refined in other work of theirs, but the drawing is still striking and effective in its relative simplicity (while never looking too limited). A big star here in 'Annie Oakley' is the music of Los Lobos, did have a fear that their music would be out of place and jar too much stylistically. Actually though it gives the adaptation a real spirited energy which the tale needs.
Keith Carradine was an interesting choice for narrator, which required a Will Rogers-like vibe, and again was not sure initially as to whether he would fit and be too intense. He is actually immensely engaging and quite humorous, voicing with real enthusiasm and savouring the character-filled dialogue. Which crackles with fun and isn't ever too simple or too complicated.
Loved the exciting adventurous element of the storytelling and the tremendous energy that comes with it. Annie is both charismatic and endearing.
Concluding, great if not one of my favourites of the American Heroes and Legends adaptations from Rabbit Ears Productions or of their whole oeuvre. 9/10