With Burbank Films Australia they have adapted classic literature that is difficult to adapt even as a live-action film or series. The work of Charles Dickens is especially true to this, and Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas is also no exception. I was expecting another Three Musketeers from Burbank, their adaptation and on its own merits of that story was disastrous. Luckily Man in the Iron Mask is much better, even if it doesn't fit with the best(Wind in the Willows, Peter Pan and The Hunchback of Notre Dame) or worst(Don Quixote, The Odyssey, Prisoner of Zenda) Burbank Films Australia animations. The character designs for my tastes were a little on the crude side, some parts of the story were rushed and I was mixed on the effectiveness of the additional characters, I can completely understand why they were included as Man in the Iron Mask is a more adult story but considering the tone of the story they seemed out of place to me. However, the backgrounds are very detailed and handsome-looking and the ballet/fireworks scene was fascinating. The music is rousing and often very beautiful, especially in this scene. The writing is not simplistic or childish, in fact it is witty with a somewhat melancholic tone to it at times, the story is mostly engaging with some exciting set pieces and the characters while not as complex as in the book are at least likable and you can tell who is who. The voice work is decent. All in all, not bad if not amazing. 7/10 Bethany Cox
