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.
'Rumplestiltskin' is though one of my least favourite of 'Simsala Grimm'. Still a very watchable episode, more than that, and has a lot of why the series appeals so much but there are things that could have been done better.
Doc Croc and Yoyo however 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 intrusive, although they are more useful when the episode gets going. Doc Croc is fun to watch and has some nice lines but there is a preference for the adorable and very funny Yoyo who has the best lines of the episode.
Unfortunately, some of the animation is not great. Namely a lot of distractingly glaring errors and goofs difficult to ignore, namely one concerning a necklace and the other a dress changing colour in a short period of time, the former not making sense as well.
Other episodes though before and since do a much better job at the fairy tale characters than 'Rumplestiltskin' does. The titular character and the additional character of the minister/captain of the guard are the ones that come off best, Rumplestiltskin has the right amount of grotesque creepiness and mystery and while essentially having the personality of the king in the original story, namely the greediness, the latter is suitably detestable and has some interesting character expressions.
The miller's daughter is easy to sympathise with and her chemistry with Doc Croc and Yoyo is endearing, more personality wouldn't have gone amiss being slightly on the passive side. The king came over as a little bland, he is more likeable certainly but for his role in the story and what he does in it he seemed too concerned and nowhere near close to being greedy enough.
Voice acting fits the characters well, again along with Doc Croc and Yoyo it's Rumplestiltskin and the minister that come off the most successfully.
More so than not, the story has engagement and ideal pacing. The crucial scenes are done well enough, especially everything to do with Rumplestiltskin. There is plenty for youngsters, without being juvenile or dumbed down, while also enough for adults feeling nostalgic and traditionalists. The writing is neither too complicated or simplistic, and entertains and charms mostly.
Other parts of the animation are quite nice and easy on the eyes. Simple and not always imaginative, but generally colourful, nicely detailed, fluidly drawn and the charming traditional look was perfect. The music fits well and is dynamic. The intro has a nostalgic charm and love the storybook once upon a time approach.
Concluding, decent but not close to being one of my favourite 'Simsala Grimm' episodes. 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.
'Rumplestiltskin' is though one of my least favourite of 'Simsala Grimm'. Still a very watchable episode, more than that, and has a lot of why the series appeals so much but there are things that could have been done better.
Doc Croc and Yoyo however 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 intrusive, although they are more useful when the episode gets going. Doc Croc is fun to watch and has some nice lines but there is a preference for the adorable and very funny Yoyo who has the best lines of the episode.
Unfortunately, some of the animation is not great. Namely a lot of distractingly glaring errors and goofs difficult to ignore, namely one concerning a necklace and the other a dress changing colour in a short period of time, the former not making sense as well.
Other episodes though before and since do a much better job at the fairy tale characters than 'Rumplestiltskin' does. The titular character and the additional character of the minister/captain of the guard are the ones that come off best, Rumplestiltskin has the right amount of grotesque creepiness and mystery and while essentially having the personality of the king in the original story, namely the greediness, the latter is suitably detestable and has some interesting character expressions.
The miller's daughter is easy to sympathise with and her chemistry with Doc Croc and Yoyo is endearing, more personality wouldn't have gone amiss being slightly on the passive side. The king came over as a little bland, he is more likeable certainly but for his role in the story and what he does in it he seemed too concerned and nowhere near close to being greedy enough.
Voice acting fits the characters well, again along with Doc Croc and Yoyo it's Rumplestiltskin and the minister that come off the most successfully.
More so than not, the story has engagement and ideal pacing. The crucial scenes are done well enough, especially everything to do with Rumplestiltskin. There is plenty for youngsters, without being juvenile or dumbed down, while also enough for adults feeling nostalgic and traditionalists. The writing is neither too complicated or simplistic, and entertains and charms mostly.
Other parts of the animation are quite nice and easy on the eyes. Simple and not always imaginative, but generally colourful, nicely detailed, fluidly drawn and the charming traditional look was perfect. The music fits well and is dynamic. The intro has a nostalgic charm and love the storybook once upon a time approach.
Concluding, decent but not close to being one of my favourite 'Simsala Grimm' episodes. 7/10 Bethany Cox