Prior to experiencing Rabbit Ears Productions' adaptation of 'Anansi', the character and his escapes were not known to me. After my first experience of this adaptation, loving it then and loving it just as much on numerous re-visits overtime, it did make me interested in getting to know them better. Doing so proved to be really fascinating and actually made me appreciate this adaptation of 'Anansi' even better. Those that like Denzel Washington as an actor, like me, will not be disappointed.
There are many gems in the "We All Have Tales" series, with not a bad one in the lot. 'Anansi' is one of the gems and adaptations of Jamaican literature don't come much better. All the three major components of what makes Rabbit Ears Productions' output so fascinating (the art styles, varied use of music and an assortment of narrators chosen for their talents rather than just star power) are done brilliantly and so is the storytelling. No weaknesses at all here, all virtues.
A good starting point in praising 'Anansi' would be Washington's contribution as narrator. The "We All Have Tales" series had a lot of standout vocal contributions, like Robin Williams ('The Fool and the Flying Ship'), Max Von Sydow ('East of the Sun, West of the Moon'), Michael Palin ('Jack and the Beanstalk') and Whoopi Goldberg ('Koi and the Kola Nuts'). Washington for 'Anansi' is every bit as brilliant, full of energy and gravitas and one is actually convinced that he is from Jamaica.
Just as brilliant are the visuals and the music. The visuals do have an endearingly jagged and appropriately rough around the edges look in the way things are drawn, but are also very vivid and colourful in the backgrounds and the character design of Anansi is quite a unique one for Rabbit Ears Productions. The music is courtesy of UB40, and it not only has an authentically Jamaican vibe in sound and rhythm but it also fits the tone of the story like a glove. It is cool and laid back at some points, but very upbeat and catchy in others.
In terms of the writing, that is full of entertainment value and honesty all round and flows as smoothly as silk. The story is essentially two escapades in one whole story, but it doesn't feel that way with the tone not being disjointed or too different at all and any transitions from one scene to the next are seamless. The titular character is an interesting one with both virtues and flaws.
Overall, outstanding. 10/10.
There are many gems in the "We All Have Tales" series, with not a bad one in the lot. 'Anansi' is one of the gems and adaptations of Jamaican literature don't come much better. All the three major components of what makes Rabbit Ears Productions' output so fascinating (the art styles, varied use of music and an assortment of narrators chosen for their talents rather than just star power) are done brilliantly and so is the storytelling. No weaknesses at all here, all virtues.
A good starting point in praising 'Anansi' would be Washington's contribution as narrator. The "We All Have Tales" series had a lot of standout vocal contributions, like Robin Williams ('The Fool and the Flying Ship'), Max Von Sydow ('East of the Sun, West of the Moon'), Michael Palin ('Jack and the Beanstalk') and Whoopi Goldberg ('Koi and the Kola Nuts'). Washington for 'Anansi' is every bit as brilliant, full of energy and gravitas and one is actually convinced that he is from Jamaica.
Just as brilliant are the visuals and the music. The visuals do have an endearingly jagged and appropriately rough around the edges look in the way things are drawn, but are also very vivid and colourful in the backgrounds and the character design of Anansi is quite a unique one for Rabbit Ears Productions. The music is courtesy of UB40, and it not only has an authentically Jamaican vibe in sound and rhythm but it also fits the tone of the story like a glove. It is cool and laid back at some points, but very upbeat and catchy in others.
In terms of the writing, that is full of entertainment value and honesty all round and flows as smoothly as silk. The story is essentially two escapades in one whole story, but it doesn't feel that way with the tone not being disjointed or too different at all and any transitions from one scene to the next are seamless. The titular character is an interesting one with both virtues and flaws.
Overall, outstanding. 10/10.
