Die Schöne und das Biest
- Episode aired Dec 15, 2010
- TV-Y
YOUR RATING
Photos
Nigel Greaves
- Yoyo
- (English version)
- (voice)
Nigel Pegram
- Doc Croc
- (English version)
- (voice)
Storyline
Featured review
The Beauty and the Beast
Old and new and of all different styles, have made no secret of loving animation. Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry were the earliest examples watched regularly at an early age. My knowledge broadened significantly overtime and found myself exposed to other directors, studios and styles, and because of this my love and appreciation for animation is even stronger now than it was as a child.
Similarly always have loved the classic stories of the Grimm Brothers and fairy tales on the whole. Their tales are beautifully written, full of soul, imagination and joy and enchanting in their own way, if quite dark in some stories and at times gruesome, and with many memorable characters that are iconic in literature. Their fame, importance and the timeless appeal of their stories are more than justified and would see any adaptation of their work, animation or live-action, and there have been numerous times where their work has lent well to animation.
This overlooked German animated series 'Simsala Grimm' (although there are more episodes with other authors, with an expansion of the Simsala universe, especially in the third season) fits the bill of introducing one to these stories well. Even those familiar with the stories are likely to find the series and how it approaches and tells the stories featured interesting. It was great to see the famous tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones. In its own right, 'Simsala Grimm' is quite well done, not one of my favourites but it's an interesting approach to the various stories and a great way to introduce newcomers to them, which will give them the want to read the stories.
Whereas the actual story is one of my favourites, the 'Simsala Grimm' adaptation is one of my least favourites of the series, 'Aladdin' being another lesser episode. Not terrible certainly, but a very mixed bag.
As fun as Doc Croc and Yoyo are as characters, this is an example of an episode where their presence was not needed. Their contribution does feel like padding and slows things down.
Pacing is a general problem here actually, with the actual 'Beauty and the Beast' story feeling rushed, the titular relationship should have had much more time to develop and the complexity of it isn't there.
In terms of writing 'Beauty and the Beast' is one of the weaker 'Simsala Grimm' episodes, some real groaners here that are facepalm-inducing. Beast's character design is stiff in places and too reminiscent of a too-amiable-looking bear, which was weird and difficult to get used to.
As will be indicated later on, also found Beast's voice too aggressive and not fitting particularly well with the design, if the character design was more fearsome it would have worked. The only voice that didn't quite work for me.
Doc Croc and Yoyo on the other hand are likeable characters and their roles in telling the story and playing roles in them, namely being helpful or being voices of reason boasts some nice moments. Doc Croc is resourceful and Yoyo is amusing and cute.
'Beauty and the Beast's' characters are interesting in personality, the female lead having an especially notable charm and Beast is not too scary and his change not shown too soon. The voice acting mostly fits the characters well, being emotive and fitting the characters' personalities without any hamminess, passiveness or blandness (Beauty coming off best), though for me Beast could have been voiced with a more soft-spoken approach, his anger almost too aggressive.
The story has moments where it does engage with emotional impact and cuteness. It is not dull either. There is plenty for youngsters, without being juvenile or dumbed down, while adults shouldn't find it too much of a chore. The writing generally does not fall into the traps of being too complicated or simplistic, and is entertaining and charming.
As with the series overall, it is not too bad visually once you get past the Beast's character design. Not always imaginative, but generally colourful, nicely detailed, fluidly drawn and it is hard to not love the charming traditional approach. The music fits well and is dynamic with an inspiring main theme. The intro has a nostalgic charm and love the storybook once upon a time approach.
Overall, watchable but disappointing. 5/10 Bethany Cox
Similarly always have loved the classic stories of the Grimm Brothers and fairy tales on the whole. Their tales are beautifully written, full of soul, imagination and joy and enchanting in their own way, if quite dark in some stories and at times gruesome, and with many memorable characters that are iconic in literature. Their fame, importance and the timeless appeal of their stories are more than justified and would see any adaptation of their work, animation or live-action, and there have been numerous times where their work has lent well to animation.
This overlooked German animated series 'Simsala Grimm' (although there are more episodes with other authors, with an expansion of the Simsala universe, especially in the third season) fits the bill of introducing one to these stories well. Even those familiar with the stories are likely to find the series and how it approaches and tells the stories featured interesting. It was great to see the famous tales and also the not so familiar and not often adapted ones. In its own right, 'Simsala Grimm' is quite well done, not one of my favourites but it's an interesting approach to the various stories and a great way to introduce newcomers to them, which will give them the want to read the stories.
Whereas the actual story is one of my favourites, the 'Simsala Grimm' adaptation is one of my least favourites of the series, 'Aladdin' being another lesser episode. Not terrible certainly, but a very mixed bag.
As fun as Doc Croc and Yoyo are as characters, this is an example of an episode where their presence was not needed. Their contribution does feel like padding and slows things down.
Pacing is a general problem here actually, with the actual 'Beauty and the Beast' story feeling rushed, the titular relationship should have had much more time to develop and the complexity of it isn't there.
In terms of writing 'Beauty and the Beast' is one of the weaker 'Simsala Grimm' episodes, some real groaners here that are facepalm-inducing. Beast's character design is stiff in places and too reminiscent of a too-amiable-looking bear, which was weird and difficult to get used to.
As will be indicated later on, also found Beast's voice too aggressive and not fitting particularly well with the design, if the character design was more fearsome it would have worked. The only voice that didn't quite work for me.
Doc Croc and Yoyo on the other hand are likeable characters and their roles in telling the story and playing roles in them, namely being helpful or being voices of reason boasts some nice moments. Doc Croc is resourceful and Yoyo is amusing and cute.
'Beauty and the Beast's' characters are interesting in personality, the female lead having an especially notable charm and Beast is not too scary and his change not shown too soon. The voice acting mostly fits the characters well, being emotive and fitting the characters' personalities without any hamminess, passiveness or blandness (Beauty coming off best), though for me Beast could have been voiced with a more soft-spoken approach, his anger almost too aggressive.
The story has moments where it does engage with emotional impact and cuteness. It is not dull either. There is plenty for youngsters, without being juvenile or dumbed down, while adults shouldn't find it too much of a chore. The writing generally does not fall into the traps of being too complicated or simplistic, and is entertaining and charming.
As with the series overall, it is not too bad visually once you get past the Beast's character design. Not always imaginative, but generally colourful, nicely detailed, fluidly drawn and it is hard to not love the charming traditional approach. The music fits well and is dynamic with an inspiring main theme. The intro has a nostalgic charm and love the storybook once upon a time approach.
Overall, watchable but disappointing. 5/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Dec 2, 2018
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