Redwall

This show is surprisingly (and beneficially) complex for something made for children. It has a great plot that branches off in several directions as it follows the adventures of different characters, and it all comes back together in the end. The excellent story is filled with memorable characters and harrowing adventures, all designed for the younger crowd. If you are a fan of the Redwall books, occasionally there will be a little "easter egg" just for you to pick up, and you will appreciate the show's loyalty to the original text. If you are tired of nothing but Japanimation or the same old Loony Toons, here is a 'toon that will grab you from start to finish.

The original Redwall animated series distinguished itself as one of Nelvana's finest series with a magnificent adaption of Brian Jacques' first book.

Now this series does Jacques' third book even more justice. If anything, this series depicts more drama, starker perils, and a higher standard of artistic excellence for the company to follow. Correspondingly, the series has more violence which is handled with a care which enhances the story rather than distracting from it.

If you get an opportunity to see this series, don't pass up the chance to see just how good Canadian television cell animation can be!

I am a literary woman. I love films (animated or live-action), theatrical shorts, and TV series based on books. I was quite shocked by the negativity I heard or saw on the internet. I've watched this show, and frankly, I find it awesome! The television series captivated me, and then I discovered the "Redwall" novels.

I love the original characters they've put on the show: Wild Ivy, the spunky, gypsy knife-thrower from a circus, and Farlo and his wife Glendel, the two dormice who sell spices; her name almost sounds like 'Gwendel' to me. The series also has an excellent musical score and top-notch voice casting. Anyway, it's a great TV adaptation of the novel.

I had never heard of Redwall nor seen it, so I gave it a go and had fun watching it.

It had a special atmosphere to it with its medieval setting filled with incidental music reminiscent of folk music from the English middle ages which helped it in creating its own identity. The little details in how many of the characters have biblical names, at least in the first season, was a clever touch since it all revolves around this abbey called Redwal.

The seasons are each based on novels in the Redwall series by Brian Jacques, and while it stays true to the source material, not all three seasons are equally strong. But that aside, it keeps a mature tone and may scare younger children, but has no graphic violence to it. The second season, Mattimeo, has the most weight to it in my opinion, because of the magnificent contribution by Tim Curry as the dispicable main villain Slagar. That season kept me in the front of my seat because of him and the interplay between the heroes and the villains in a story of courage, survival and trust. But I must adress one thing that bucked me a little: the order of the seasons seems a little odd, and you'll discover when you get to season three.

The animation was really good with its detailed backgrounds and warm colour palette even though it was inconsistent with the character designs, because their shading often disappeared making them look flat. That's the only thing on the animation.

Recomendable to all who likes the medieval setting with sword fights and all that stuff.

Redwall, based on the children's adventure novel by Brian Jacques, is set in an amazing fantasy world populated by animals. Its heroes, Matthias the mouse, Basil the hare, and Cornflower the mouse maiden, must save their abbey from the evil hordes of Cluny the Scourge, a villainous rat backed by a huge army. The plot is flowing and detailed, with Matthias' search for the sword of the legendary Martin the Warrior, political intrigue and backstabbing amongst Cluny's henchrats, and a vicious serpent that terrorizes the forest surrounding the abbey. This adder, called Asmodeus, eats creatures from both sides of the conflict, and Matthias' batte with the monster is reminiscent of timeless tales of knights slaying dragons. This epic series is highly recommended.