Rabbit Ears Productions had a consistently strong output, even weaker efforts are well worth tracking down and their best work is masterful. Their American Heroes and Legends series is one of the most consistent (other series in their output include Storybook Classics, Greatest Stories Ever Told, Holiday Classics and We All Have Tales, all high quality), where even the weakest is still very good and almost all the adaptations from the series are outstanding.
'Stormalong' may not be one of the very best Rabbit Ears adaptations, and as far as the American Heroes and Legends series goes it is not quite as amazing as 'Follow the Drinking Gourd', 'Mose the Fireman' and 'John Henry'. But it is close to their level and is outstanding in its own way, it sounds very slight on paper, but it is still rousing, entertaining and inspirational with everything being done to at least extremely high quality level. There is more than enough here to prove why Rabbit Ears Productions' output deserves to be better known.
Everything works in 'Stormalong'. The illustrations are colourful and beautifully textured, with gorgeous looking backgrounds, with the drawing never coming over as ugly. Really liked the unique character design for the titular character. NRBQ's music was a curious choice for music style, and would have preferred more traditional pirate adventure like music, but actually it did work and just about fitted the adventurous, good natured tone. It is toned down enough to not overbear the visuals and is quite suitable music for listening to when on a long car journey and want something more relaxing.
A big part of 'Stormalong's' appeal is John Candy's narration. Candy's extensive experience in comedy absolutely shows in his larger than life, like the titular character himself, and exuberantly good natured delivery that is just perfect for adventure stories. He clearly relished delivering the often hilarious writing that will have younger audiences laugh out loud and his energy was refreshing.
The story is great fun, full of rousing energy and full of laugh out loud funny moments that are hilarious at their best and enhanced by Candy's vocal delivery. It is very accessible for kids and adults alike, never juvenile and never is it hard to follow. A joy for anybody who is a fan of the genre 'Stormalong' fits under and who loves traditional adventure stories. The titular character is both endearing and riotous.
In conclusion, absolutely wonderful. 10/10.
