If someone was to ask me what two words, I would describe this series: My first word is....cheesy. And my second word is...iconic.
This second journey was a lot fun! We get those cool forest elves, a beautiful immortal lady covered in leaves, more of Fantaghiro's ugly bowl cut wig, a talking boomerang rock, and the Black Witch/Queen and her minions! But then...the white goose came. I would've given this 10 stars if it wasn't for that freaking goose. I didn't mind her in the first part. But in this second part, she needs to make a sound for everything!! I can understand if she and Fantaghiro are in a dire situation (the goose will make a noise to show that she is scared...fine but annoying). But when Fantaghiro was walking down the stairs with the goose on her side, the freaking goose needed to make a noise for almost every step Fanta took! Jfc! I couldn't take it anymore! I think that if someone else voiced the goose and gave her a less childish voice, I wouldn't be as pissed. (Yes, it's 2024, and I am ranting about a talking goose deal with it.)
Nielsen as the Black Queen was superb. If I were to see her, I wouldn't need to be under a spell to fall for her. I probably would've fallen in love with her with my free will and then regretted it since, you know, she's evil. Her costume was great, but that bird helmet?!!! Fabulous. I want that helmet! Her minions Lightning and Bolt were super cool and adorable. If I saw this as a kid in the 90s, I would've looked up to them (other than the iconic Fantaghiro!). And no doubt I would've dressed as Lightning and Bolt for Halloween sometime in the 1990s.
I wish we heard Nielsen's original voice. I feel like hearing her original voice would've added more to her character. Because she was speaking English (actually a good set of characters were... even the title character herself!). But they were dubbed by Italian voice actors. Which I find somewhat irritating. Why not hire actual actors who speak Italian?!! I was shocked to find that a good 20% of the cast are actually Italian. But I do love Fantaghiro's Italian voice.
So I don't know when I'll watch the third part, maybe around Christmas or Thanksgiving?! I was planning on watching all 10 parts the entire month, but I feel like it would be a lot more special for the holiday season and for spring 2025. So I can't wait! But if I have to deal with that goose again...well may the gods protect me.
