Over the Garden Wall Review: A Perfect Autumn Fairytale
9.5/10 — Over the Garden Wall (2014)
Pros
- Gorgeous artwork
- Perfect atmosphere
- Charming and creepy
Cons
- Very short
- Ambiguous in places
Two half-brothers, Wirt and Greg, wander through a mysterious forest called the Unknown, trying to find their way home with the help of a talking bluebird and a woodsman. Elijah Wood voices Wirt.
What works
The artwork is lovely and the autumnal mood is perfect, with a folk-inspired soundtrack. The story balances humour and menace, and its mythology keeps you wondering. At about two hours total, it’s quick to watch.
Where it falters
It’s very short, and some of the narrative threads are left ambiguous.
Verdict
A modern animated classic, best watched in autumn.
