With Patrick McHale announced as the official screenwriter for the Netflix feature film adaptation of Redwall, I decided to check out Over the Garden Wall, the Cartoon Network animated series for which he's best known, to get a better understanding of his perspective, as well as to determine what, if any, parallels can be made to Redwall.
The series is currently streaming on HBO MAX, and consists of 10 episodes, each approximately 11-12 minutes in length.
Indeed, some comparisons to the Redwall series are quite possible.
From a high level, the story is about two characters on a quest in a mysterious forest. Two lost brothers are attempting to find their way home, and they meet many characters - some helpful, some not-so-helpful - along the way. Each episode is essentially a pit stop during their journey.
Questing, and making friends over the course of said quests, is certainly at the heart of Redwall. Especially through a forested woodland.
But that's not all.
There are a few talking animals - specifically birds, that the protagonists encounter. We know Redwall has its fair share of those.
Episodes two ("Hard Times at the Huskin' Bee") and four ("Songs of the Dark Lantern") feature groups of locals singing, dancing, playing instruments, and embarking in all manner of revelry. Yet another thing Redwall does best.
Episode three hosts a number of clothed animals, amongst which include a rabbit, fox, and some cats. These animals gather for a joint dining session, like a feast.
Episode six, "Lullaby in Frogland", has an entire ferry full of frog characters. The Redwall universe is of course no stranger to toads or reptiles.
Additionally, characters also tend to burst into song at will, certainly a component of Redwall.
It's also worth observing that two well-known British voices contributed to Over the Garden Wall: John Cleese and Tim Curry (who Redwallers might recognize as the voice of Slagar the Cruel from Redwall - Season 2).
One can't help but wonder if they could be involved in the Netflix project given McHale's past history with the pair. Curry's work has been minimal since his stroke in 2012, but you never know. John Cleese is more than qualified to voice a character from Redwall. Who would you choose? Perhaps Basil Stag Hare? (Not to mention, Cleese's Twitter profile describes him as a "keen Amateur Squirrel Trainer".)
Overall, it was an enjoyable story. I'm looking forward to what McHale now does next with Pinnochio, and my anticipation for his Redwall adaptation has certainly increased as a result.
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