Week 8
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
Genre: Animated dark fantasy-adventure
Yes, I’m aware this was technically a miniseries, but I watched all 10 episodes in about 90 minutes on HBO Max, thus I’m counting it as a movie. Coincidentally, this is also my fourth week in a row reviewing an Elijah Wood project. Anyways, Over the Garden Wall is the perfect autumn viewing experience, with quirky animation complimented by a tasteful color palate. I’m no artist, but I’m overall impressed by the color and shading work in the series, as it truly adds to the multi-layered mystery that brothers Wirt and Greg attempt to unravel to find their way home. Though Over the Garden Wall was broadcasted on Cartoon Network and subsequently made for children, even as an adult, the series is incredibly unnerving, even in its comedic parts. There’s just this undertone of darkness which haunts Wirt and Greg’s journey through the Unknown, and it seems, no matter how friendly the friends they make might seem, trust is still uneasy, both for Wirt and the audience. Over the Garden Wall reads like a fairy tale, with two young boys on a twisted adventure, yet there’s still something wrong. Something the audience is unable to truly grasp until the final episode, wherein the puzzle is shakily put together, only with one final question remaining.
The miniseries would be incredibly bleak without Greg and Wirt’s dynamic, with Wirt being the awkward preteen older brother, and Greg as the curious little one. Greg’s innocence and curiosity serves not only as characterization material, but as a plot driver and comic relief. Greg and Wirt’s devotion to one another drives the plot along, as Wirt tries to protect Greg in every way he can, though not without frustration. The introduction of the bird Beatrice interrupts this bond, as Wirt, naturally untrustworthy, disapproves of her and Greg’s friendship, thus changing the character dynamics.
Over the Garden Wall is bolstered by a star-studded cast including Elijah Wood (Wirt), Christopher Lloyd (The Woodsman), John Cleese (Adelaide and Quincy Endicott), and Tim Curry (Auntie Whispers). All actors truly show off their incredible voice acting talents, with Elijah Wood taking center stage with his dynamic portrayal of the awkward Wirt.
One of my absolute favorite scenes within the series has to be when Wirt and Greg board a riverboat filled with anthropomorphic frogs, all joyously dancing and enjoying their cruise on the rivers of the Unknown. It’s such a simple and quaint scene that makes one forget to darkness of Wirt and Greg’s situation, and the dangers present in the Unknown. It’s a scene that entices you to join in, and blankets you with this childlike nostalgia that only an adult audience would feel. There’s truly a lot of love put into this production, and from the way Over the Garden Wall makes you feel, it truly shows.
Overall, Over the Garden Wall is a piece I’ll revisit every fall, not just for its autumn visuals and themes, but for it’s complicated feelings. There’s something so profound about Wirt and Greg’s journey that I find it difficult to put into words, thus I encourage you to watch it for yourself.
I’ve always been interested in Over the Garden Wall, but I don’t have HBO. Very unfortunate. I think that the dark fantasy aesthetic is super pleasing, and I’d like to see it at some point. I’ve seen the anthropomorphic frogs and they look very cute!
Great review! I’ve heard a lot of fantastic things about this miniseries but never got the opportunity to actually look into it. I do think that the sort of darker aesthetic of this series is very visually appealing, especially compared to the more bright and flashy shows that are also available for the same age group.