Animated
2022- / 500 minutes (19 episodes)
Rating: 8/10
The movie is never as good as the book, of course. But what if that book is a part of the best Christian fantasy series since Lewis and Tolkien? Then the movie – or in this case the animated TV series – might even be worse than the book and still be awesome. And that’s exactly the case here!
The Wingfeather Saga follows the Igiby family who live high atop a cliff overlooking the Dark Sea of Darkness. The live in a truly wonderful place… except for all the horrible, poison-dripping enemy Fangs who have conquered the land, and now kidnap children to send them away in the Black Carriage to no one knows where. Really, really wonderful place… except for that.
It’s a setting that have things taking a dark turn if there wasn’t comic relief all around, and the whole Igiby family to just love. Grandfather Podo is a former pirate and huge, gruff, bear of a man that makes his grandchildren feel safe. He helps his daughter Nia take care of her three children, Janner, Tink and Leeli, because their father died in the war with the Fangs. And [SPOILER ALERT] the kids’ uncle turns out to be crazy but courageous, which is quite the astonishing combination!
The Fangs are in charge, but they aren’t content. Their ruler Gnag the Nameless is looking for the Jewels of Anniera and he’s looking everywhere. It gets worse when he decides that the Igibys might now where they are! Then the family is forced to flee, and sometimes fight. And along for the ride they have a bookseller, Oskar N. Reteep, who has a quote for every occasion, and a unusually large dog who doesn’t fit through doorways anymore.
Cautions
The main caution would be scariness, and only because this is for kids. There’s nothing that anyone over 12 would find alarming, but the music and dark lighting will impact kids under 10. I will also share one SPOILER ALERT that anyone who has read the books would already know: two key characters do die, which is shocking all on its own, but all the more so because that never happens in children’s stories. The first death happens in the second episode of Season 2, though in Season 1 there is a moment where it looks like Podo has died… but you can assure kids that no, he’ll be okay.
Conclusion
Season 4 is just launching now, and based on how fast they were working through the books, I thought it might be the last one. But it turns out they have plans for seven seasons in all, which will give them the space to really tell the story well.
I really like this show, but I will share that it didn’t grab other fans of the books the same way. I found the animation stunning, and appreciated how the unique look set it apart. Others find the look a jarring, almost as if they don’t have quite the normal amount of frames per second.
So, I’d encourage you to take a look, but if you are a fan of the books I make no guarantees – you’re right, it isn’t quite as good. But if you haven’t read the books, I think its more certain you will like it, if you like fantasy at all. This is so very different and fresh, and while the Christian underpinnings are sometimes subtle, that too sets it apart: this has a Christian heart to it. What it says about love and courage is actually true.
You can find this one on the Angel.com streaming service. Check out the trailer below.