The 10th Kingdom

I was telling my brother the other day that this mini-series is for everyone who ever loved fairy tales when they were kids, and I'm telling the same thing to my fellow IMDb users now. The opening title sequence is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see on TV. The performances are all top-notch, especially Scott Cohen as Wolf, Ed O'Neill as Relish the Troll King and Rutger Hauer as the Huntsman. The guest stars get to hog the limelight as well. John Shrapnel is truly menacing as the Governor of Snow White Memorial Prison, a guy you would love to hate. Two of my favourite dwarfs, Warwick Davis and Mike Edmonds get in on the fun as well. Ann-Margret doesn't really do much with her appearance as Queen Cinderella, though. The really great thing is the story. It reminds us how not all fairy tales are fluffy and sentimental (The Grimm fairy tales weren't just named after their authors, you know), and great new worlds are presented before us (Kissing Town is a highlight.). The romance between Virginia and Wolf is truly touching as well. Humour is also provided by the bungling Trolls Burly, Blabberwort and Bluebell and by Daniel Lapaine as the Dog in the Prince's body ('Prince Wendell loves biscuits!'). There are a couple of hairy moments (the trial in Little Lamb Village) but overall, you will love this. I recommend that you also read the novelisation of this series as it clears up a few plot points.

When I was first approached to watch this film, I noticed the length and was completely turned away. Ten hours. Who could endure this many interactions with children's storybook characters? Luckily, my wife sat me down and we began this lengthy process. To say the least, I was impressed. Directors David Carson and Herbert Wise did a spectacular job of bringing the magic and detail of fairy tales to the small screen. Through the voyages of our three main heroes, we see so many of our childhood escapes. Places where only our imagination took us before, we are guided through the images of modern television.

Imagination is only part of this miraculous tale. This film keeps with the modern idea of fairy tales with some very dark thematic elements. The scenes with the Trolls and with Snow White were spellbinding. You could literally get lost in this film and never want to escape. John Larroquette and Kimberly Williams are decent in their roles (about average for television), but it is Scott Cohen as the Wolf that literally steals every scene. He plays his part to the fullest extent. Ed O'Neill and Rutger Hauer also contribute well to this story.

Overall, this was a beautiful (if long) story that continually pushed the boundaries of a television mini-series. I never knew where it was going to take me next or which fairy tale it would dive right into. There was never a dull moment and it is a story that can be watched over and over again. This is a treat for anyone with a passion for children's literature!

Grade: ***** out of *****

I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw the previews for this mini series. I thought it was to be a fluff piece on fairy tales. I was quite surprised to see the amazing make-up, the costumes and the scenery. All those things make the series well worth the 4 hours. The storyline is interesting and has a number of fantasy filled subplots. The Trolls were scary and humorous at the same time. The clash of the parallel worlds was done well, with much attention to detail. The different 'kingdoms' were distinguishable and each unique and fantastic. I see definite Emmy nominations and awards here, especially for make-up, costumes, and script.

I was pleasantly surprised by this mini-series. It's rare to find something that both adults and children can enjoy together. I watched this with my five year old nephew and he loved it, as did I.

This story combines all classic fairy tales with a modern twist. The scenery and costumes were great. Although the running time is long, the story moves keeps your attention and isn't slow paced. The actors did an excellent job. I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of some of the characters, like trolls singing along to Saturday Night Fever. In my opinion Scott Cohen made the series thanks to his portrayal of the wolf. He has gained a new fan in me.

I recommend this mini-series to all, whether young or young at heart.

I think I'm going to have to disagree with the critics on this one- I thought it was pretty good. When 'The 10th Kingdom' opened to universally negative reviews and plummeting ratings back in February, I wasn't even sure I was going to take the time to watch it. I remember, about two months before it opened, reading a newspaper article on the miniseries, and laughing at it. The article wasn't very flattering, and I was looking forward to seeing it fail. As the next two months passed I saw it advertised heavily on NBC, and I thought it looked pretty good. I did some looking around on the internet, and I became intrigued by it. I was still convinced it would fail, but I found myself counting down the days until it began.

After the first installment, I was hooked. Despite being downright silly much of the time, the scenery was absolutely extraordinary, ditto for the special effects. I ended up watching all five two hour installments, and I can't think of anything better that I could have spent it on.

Granted, the series still has several problems. The one thing I was disappointed most by was the lack of screen time of many of the *name* actors. Ann-Margret had only a few minutes, and Camryn Manheim appeared in only one installment. Also, Rutger Hauer had only about twenty minutes on screen spread over several installments. While still good, John Larroquette and Kimberley Williams didn't quite have either the talent or drawing power to hold the series.

Still, it was surprisingly engaging, and very well photographed. If you have the time, watch the series, I doubt you'll be disappointed

7/10