It's a truly excellent film, one I’d gladly watch again and happily suggest to others. I often find myself hoping other films would adopt such an uncomplicated yet effective storytelling approach. It doesn’t adhere to the usual three-act format—though it technically contains those elements—and feels more akin to experiencing a video game. The film begins conventionally, but what follows is divided into sections…

It's certainly a somber piece, yet enjoyable and executed with considerable skill. This ranks among the limited number of American animated films that resonated with me.

Neil Gaiman’s continued relevance in both literature and film stems from his ability, perhaps more than anyone else—with Terry Gilliam being a possible exception—to recognize the shared fascination of children and adults with things beyond our everyday experience. He understood why storytelling has been so crucial throughout human history, and like the Brothers Grimm, he recognized that fairy tales and stories for ki…