This is one of my favorite fantasy shows of all time, it's also a bit of an under the radar gem as it was a show that was under credited as it wasn't quite a major hit at the time but as time went on it's became a cult classic, there is even a series of licensed graphic novels from "Archaia" based on the show which are cool.
This is also one of my favorite anthology TV shows as it's one that is based on the fantasy genre; it's kind of funny I say that as most anthologies like "The Twilight Zone" have a fantasy story or at least elements of fantasy, but this show is different as it's fully into the genre of fantasy.
Jim Henson and fantasy are just a wonderful mix together and fitting as his company has mainly made fantasies become reality. But as usual he has some of the best damn special effects imaginable as their all practical, make up and puppeteering at its best.
Really like the designs of some of the fantasy creature from the humanoid Hedgehog Hans you could say sort of predates that "Sonic the Hedgehog" film (ok, not quite but all the same we say a humanoid hedgehog in live action). To the little devil creatures in another story who are despite being ugly kind of cute but have funny personas. Their along favorite in small monster like the "Gremlins" and "Critters" in my book; and others you just must see to believe.
I really like the fairy tales told, some are familiar but others not so familiar, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if one day some movie or animated film based on them ever happened. But that's beside the point, I just simply love the fact they tread on unfamiliar ground as they have fairy tales from other regions, and not just retold some of the popular and familiar tales again which I find refreshing. This makes the show have educational value to show how broad Fairy Tales and Fantasy truly is and its universal appeal.
Really like both host/narrators the late John Hurt, he really fit the tales he tells. John Hurt whom has sort of that old gentle tone but also slight bit of humor. And he has sort of a co-host which is a cute talking dog (voiced by Brian Henson) who ironically looks a bit like the dog Sprocket from "Fragile Rock" really like how he plays off both host as he's sort of a bit of a comediator which adds humor to the show but helps in connecting with the audience some of his reactions are funny because their true they're some of what we feel. But both help in reassuring the audience that the stories were seeing are just that stories.
Most of the tales are memorable and all good in their own way, all well-acted and the production value is on par.
Like "Sapsorrow" which is sort of the Cinderella tale but a very different version and personally I found a lot more interesting as the Cinderella in these turns into a Werewolf. Ok, not quite but close, I know it sounds strange, but it all makes sense when you see it for yourself.
Another "The Soldier and Death" which is an interesting one that doesn't go the way you'd expect (like most fairy tales) in a good way that makes sense, but you could say another story that goes with the old saying, "Good Deeds don't go unpunished."
It would be cool to have a revival, but I'd want the same practical puppeteering and make up effects, good voice actors and acting and most importantly a good host; may 'be "Doctor Who" alumni like Peter Capaldi, Toby Jones etc. Along with good cast of actors in each of the new tales like Haley Atwell, Jenna Coleman, etc. Also, audio books for the graphic novels and toys for the creatures in the series. I know this is a tall order but it's something to think about and we really could use anthologies again let alone just escapism in general, just a thought.
Fairy Tales never gets old as long at they keep getting told throughout all time.
Rating: 4 stars.
This is also one of my favorite anthology TV shows as it's one that is based on the fantasy genre; it's kind of funny I say that as most anthologies like "The Twilight Zone" have a fantasy story or at least elements of fantasy, but this show is different as it's fully into the genre of fantasy.
Jim Henson and fantasy are just a wonderful mix together and fitting as his company has mainly made fantasies become reality. But as usual he has some of the best damn special effects imaginable as their all practical, make up and puppeteering at its best.
Really like the designs of some of the fantasy creature from the humanoid Hedgehog Hans you could say sort of predates that "Sonic the Hedgehog" film (ok, not quite but all the same we say a humanoid hedgehog in live action). To the little devil creatures in another story who are despite being ugly kind of cute but have funny personas. Their along favorite in small monster like the "Gremlins" and "Critters" in my book; and others you just must see to believe.
I really like the fairy tales told, some are familiar but others not so familiar, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if one day some movie or animated film based on them ever happened. But that's beside the point, I just simply love the fact they tread on unfamiliar ground as they have fairy tales from other regions, and not just retold some of the popular and familiar tales again which I find refreshing. This makes the show have educational value to show how broad Fairy Tales and Fantasy truly is and its universal appeal.
Really like both host/narrators the late John Hurt, he really fit the tales he tells. John Hurt whom has sort of that old gentle tone but also slight bit of humor. And he has sort of a co-host which is a cute talking dog (voiced by Brian Henson) who ironically looks a bit like the dog Sprocket from "Fragile Rock" really like how he plays off both host as he's sort of a bit of a comediator which adds humor to the show but helps in connecting with the audience some of his reactions are funny because their true they're some of what we feel. But both help in reassuring the audience that the stories were seeing are just that stories.
Most of the tales are memorable and all good in their own way, all well-acted and the production value is on par.
Like "Sapsorrow" which is sort of the Cinderella tale but a very different version and personally I found a lot more interesting as the Cinderella in these turns into a Werewolf. Ok, not quite but close, I know it sounds strange, but it all makes sense when you see it for yourself.
Another "The Soldier and Death" which is an interesting one that doesn't go the way you'd expect (like most fairy tales) in a good way that makes sense, but you could say another story that goes with the old saying, "Good Deeds don't go unpunished."
It would be cool to have a revival, but I'd want the same practical puppeteering and make up effects, good voice actors and acting and most importantly a good host; may 'be "Doctor Who" alumni like Peter Capaldi, Toby Jones etc. Along with good cast of actors in each of the new tales like Haley Atwell, Jenna Coleman, etc. Also, audio books for the graphic novels and toys for the creatures in the series. I know this is a tall order but it's something to think about and we really could use anthologies again let alone just escapism in general, just a thought.
Fairy Tales never gets old as long at they keep getting told throughout all time.
Rating: 4 stars.