Have always been a fan of Jim Henson and 'The Storyteller' has always been a timeless classic of a series. Love all the episodes in their own way, though some are more special than others. A very mature series tonally but with enough to not make it too dark for kids with some episodes being quite playful. Those who love the Muppets, 'The Dark Crystal' and 'Labyrinth' but haven't somehow seen 'The Storyteller' yet should do so absolutely.
"A Story Short" is not quite as great as the previous two episodes "Hans My Hedgehog" and "Fearnot", with those two having stronger emotional impact and atmosphere, and it is not one of the best episodes of 'The Storyteller', but it is still a fine third instalment and goes really well with them. While also standing very well on its own. "A Story Short" is a lot of fun to watch and still does have a good deal of atmosphere of its own, while also having all the strengths the previous two episodes had.
Unlike "Hans My Hedgehog" and "Fearnot", "A Story Short" does get a little silly in the writing at times.
There is though nothing else to criticise it for. It again looks splendid visually. Absolutely love the atmosphere present in the sets and the episode is beautifully shot, but it is the puppetry that shines most of it. Both spooky and beautiful. The music score similarly enchants, is hauntingly beautiful and its melancholic tone fits like a glove with the story's atmosphere.
Most of the writing is engaging and mostly doesn't feel over the top while not taking itself too seriously. The story is full of charm and loved its playfulness (more playful than the previous two episodes, and one of the most playful perhaps of the series) and eeriness. When there is a strangeness, it doesn't feel too strange and never feels incoherent or on the wrong side of bizarre.
John Hurt is perfectly cast and gives one of his best performances of the series, especially in the early stages. Absolutely loved the what's your trade fool exchange, Hurt was really enjoying himself there. Brian Henson is amusingly sarcastic. The cast are in good keeping with the episode's tone and don't overplay or undersell.
Concluding, great. 9/10.
"A Story Short" is not quite as great as the previous two episodes "Hans My Hedgehog" and "Fearnot", with those two having stronger emotional impact and atmosphere, and it is not one of the best episodes of 'The Storyteller', but it is still a fine third instalment and goes really well with them. While also standing very well on its own. "A Story Short" is a lot of fun to watch and still does have a good deal of atmosphere of its own, while also having all the strengths the previous two episodes had.
Unlike "Hans My Hedgehog" and "Fearnot", "A Story Short" does get a little silly in the writing at times.
There is though nothing else to criticise it for. It again looks splendid visually. Absolutely love the atmosphere present in the sets and the episode is beautifully shot, but it is the puppetry that shines most of it. Both spooky and beautiful. The music score similarly enchants, is hauntingly beautiful and its melancholic tone fits like a glove with the story's atmosphere.
Most of the writing is engaging and mostly doesn't feel over the top while not taking itself too seriously. The story is full of charm and loved its playfulness (more playful than the previous two episodes, and one of the most playful perhaps of the series) and eeriness. When there is a strangeness, it doesn't feel too strange and never feels incoherent or on the wrong side of bizarre.
John Hurt is perfectly cast and gives one of his best performances of the series, especially in the early stages. Absolutely loved the what's your trade fool exchange, Hurt was really enjoying himself there. Brian Henson is amusingly sarcastic. The cast are in good keeping with the episode's tone and don't overplay or undersell.
Concluding, great. 9/10.
