This week, we’re recommending some animated heavy hitters on both Netflix AND Hulu. If you’re not fortunate enough to have both, worry not. Either one is guaranteed to bring out your inner child-like excitement and wonder.
THE LITTLE PRINCE – Netflix (2015)
Perhaps you read THE LITTLE PRINCE when you were a child or, more than likely, you were required to read it as a teen in your High School French class. Regardless, it is a classic children’s tale of adventure and discovery. And there have already been a handful of fun and faithful movie adaptations in all forms; animation, live-action, musical! This time around, however, the story is retold like never before – through the eyes of a young girl searching for meaning in her overly structured and absurdly formal life.
First of all, the cast is absolutely incredible. Jeff Bridges plays the voice of the author/aviator, Rachel McAdams plays our protagonist’s mother, Paul Rudd plays a brand new character named Mr. Prince, and there are small cameos from the likes of James Franco, Benecio Del Toro, and Ricky Gervais. They weren’t playing around for a kid’s movie! What makes this iteration unique is the emphasis on bringing new material without compromising the original and classic story. The little girl meets the old Aviator who recounts his tale of meeting the Little Prince. This captures her excitement and sends her on an adventure of her very own, giving us the best of both worlds: The original story is succinct and beautiful, while the new additions shine a light on the world we live in today while bringing more fun and thrills than ever before. On top of all of that, the animation is spectacular. We’re primarily in a world of 3D animation, but the storybook segments are animated in a very unique stop-motion paper-like quality. It’s difficult to describe, but really brings the world to life.
OVER THE GARDEN WALL – Hulu (2012)
This is a ten part miniseries from Cartoon Network that premiered over a few nights in autumn of 2012. The story has a beginning, middle, and a wonderful end that will leave you both satisfied and desperately craving more. The best word I can think of to describe the tone of the show is “Nostalgia”. Not in the 1980’s STRANGER THINGS kind of way, but a feeling of both happiness and longing for a place and time that we’ve never been in. It’s spooky, charming, hilarious, and gorgeous all at the same time. Unfortunately (or fortunately) there’s nothing close enough to compare this show to, but I highly recommend going into on a blind leap of faith.
Greg and Wirt (voiced by Elijah Wood) are two young brothers who find themselves lost in the woods. While trying to find their way home, they run into all sorts of mysterious creatures and situations and are constantly being hunted by a Woodsman (Christopher Lloyd) and “The Beast”. Things start getting a little more frightening as the show progresses and takes a turn for the darker. While it was originally intended for children, the show has developed a cult-following of loyal adults who adore the relationship of the two brothers and the friendships they make along the way. There’s really no need to share any more information, but as the fall/Halloween season approaches, this is definitely something that should be on your watch list.