I saw this because I walked into the living room and my 10-year-old was watching it, and I simply couldn't look away. Normally he watches pretty kid-and-tween-friendly material, which is to say it's a bit immature for an adult, but I was just astounded by how well this production packed a mature theme into a story about stuffed animals. It's filmed and directed as a drama for adults who have experienced the extreme highs and lows of yearning and heartbreak, but it's written in a way that even my 10-year-old would both understand and enjoy. To call this series a masterpiece really undersells what's been done here, as it's combined art forms in a way I honestly wasn't prepared to accept as compatible, that of live action and computer animation in such a serious, dramatic story. It's "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" but the mystery is about finding a lost friend, and there's no slapstick element or cartoonish villainy.
If this does not stir your soul, either pulling you into a past romance or childhood daydreams and make-believe, I'm not sure anything could. I fully expect to see this receive Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and likely wins. Tim Blake Nelson's portrayal of Zozo, in particular, was so heart-wrenchingly authentic, so brilliantly emoted, it's hard to believe he's voicing effectively a cartoon character. That it may be one of the best voice-acting, if not simply acting, performances I've ever witnessed is icing on a gourmet cake.
If this does not stir your soul, either pulling you into a past romance or childhood daydreams and make-believe, I'm not sure anything could. I fully expect to see this receive Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and likely wins. Tim Blake Nelson's portrayal of Zozo, in particular, was so heart-wrenchingly authentic, so brilliantly emoted, it's hard to believe he's voicing effectively a cartoon character. That it may be one of the best voice-acting, if not simply acting, performances I've ever witnessed is icing on a gourmet cake.