'The Water of Life' is a beautiful story and does not deserve its relative obscurity. In fact, to me it should be up among their better known stories and should be adapted much more. Namely because it contains one of Brothers Grimms' most likeable and most sympathetic lead characters, and not in too typical a way (which is a great thing), and the emotional impact got from it rivals that of some of their most famous work.
By all means there are recognisable elements that are unmistakably Brothers Grimm/fairy-tale storytelling, but not as much. Not saying that as a knock to other tales of theirs, just saying in comparison. Other than reading the story, if wanting to get to know 'The Water of Life' this version is a good place to start and does it justice. While 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' (or 'Grimm Fairy Tale Classics' to some) is a mostly very enjoyable and intriguing series, regardless with flaws with the music and inconsistent voice acting, and a good way of getting familiar with lesser known tales, some episodes are better than others.
Of which this episode is one of the best ones. There is an awful lot to love about 'The Water of Life' and what can be problems in the series are not issues here. The music fits better here than other episodes of 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' and gives off more whimsy and charm and less of the very stuck in the 80s vibe present in most of the series. Can find the voice acting inconsistent in other episodes, 'The Water of Life' is one of the few where all the voices fit the characters and delivered just right.
Have no issues with the animation, one of the best-looking 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' episodes from personal opinion. The colours are vibrant, the backgrounds detailed and more meticulous than some other episodes of the series and the character designs are some of the series' most expressive. The intro and outro songs are very charming.
Very rarely have many problems with the writing, don't here. has maturity and entertainment value with enough for both children, without dumbing down or being too juvenile, and adults, without being too complicated. The story has immense charm and one of the very few episodes to be paced exactly right. As said, the lead character stands out here, he is very likeable and love how caring and far from shallow he is, the love relationship also not feeling rushed.
My only complaint is that the ending didn't feel quite satisfying, the loose ends give off an incomplete feel that is not there in the original fairy-tale.
In conclusion, great. 9/10
By all means there are recognisable elements that are unmistakably Brothers Grimm/fairy-tale storytelling, but not as much. Not saying that as a knock to other tales of theirs, just saying in comparison. Other than reading the story, if wanting to get to know 'The Water of Life' this version is a good place to start and does it justice. While 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' (or 'Grimm Fairy Tale Classics' to some) is a mostly very enjoyable and intriguing series, regardless with flaws with the music and inconsistent voice acting, and a good way of getting familiar with lesser known tales, some episodes are better than others.
Of which this episode is one of the best ones. There is an awful lot to love about 'The Water of Life' and what can be problems in the series are not issues here. The music fits better here than other episodes of 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' and gives off more whimsy and charm and less of the very stuck in the 80s vibe present in most of the series. Can find the voice acting inconsistent in other episodes, 'The Water of Life' is one of the few where all the voices fit the characters and delivered just right.
Have no issues with the animation, one of the best-looking 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' episodes from personal opinion. The colours are vibrant, the backgrounds detailed and more meticulous than some other episodes of the series and the character designs are some of the series' most expressive. The intro and outro songs are very charming.
Very rarely have many problems with the writing, don't here. has maturity and entertainment value with enough for both children, without dumbing down or being too juvenile, and adults, without being too complicated. The story has immense charm and one of the very few episodes to be paced exactly right. As said, the lead character stands out here, he is very likeable and love how caring and far from shallow he is, the love relationship also not feeling rushed.
My only complaint is that the ending didn't feel quite satisfying, the loose ends give off an incomplete feel that is not there in the original fairy-tale.
In conclusion, great. 9/10