'Ultimate Book of Spells' first aired when this reviewer was 9. Liked it a lot back then, and have revisited it a number of times since as a fan of animation. It is far from ground-breaking or one of the best shows, animated and not, ever made, but it also does not deserve its now relatively forgotten status. Thank goodness for good old Youtube. Can totally see the criticisms it garners for being closely indebted to Harry Potter (only picked up upon some while after the show first aired), and there are elements throughout that are very similar and clearly inspired, but this viewer considers it more of a love letter rather than a rip off.
"He Who Laughs Last" is a very well done third episode, with the show continuing to get better. The previous two episodes were good too, but "He Who Laughs Last" has a stronger mix of humour, mystery and action and has one of the more inventive story ideas of the show. Really like too how it is continuing to build upon what was set up before in terms of world building and characters, and also what it did with Verne. It is not a perfect episode, but there is a lot to like about it.
Snerret and Rowce are very annoying, their humour is not funny, their bickering is forced and their voices grate, the show always overdid their dim-witted-ness too for my tastes. Luckily though they are not in it much.
The scene in the bakery has always to me felt very cringe worthy.
On the other hand, "He Who Laughs Last" has a lot to like. Am continuing to love the distinct personalities of Cassy, Gus and Verne and their chemistry together. While Gus' imitations are absolutely priceless, especially the dead on one of Ms Crystalgazer, Verne comes off best of the three. Loved his role in the climax, he is very funny (i.e. The banana peel) and also felt sorry for him when he accidentally cast himself naked. UBOS continues to be wise, firm and amusing and Zarlak suitably sinister.
The episode does a great job with the two settings, Vonderland already feels magical and immersive and the level they travel to has genuine creepiness and foreboding. The animation is crisp and colourful and the music fits well and doesn't sound out of date. Catchy theme tune. Have little to fault the voice acting for, excepting Snerret and Rowce. Cathy Weseluk as Verne and the voice work for Zarlak particularly. The writing is not juvenile or complicated and was really struck as a young adult how self-aware and on the nose it is. The story may not be perfect, but it is eventful and entertaining with genuine tension in the conflict. Particularly in the exciting climax, which is the highlight of the episode.
Concluding, liked it a lot. 8/10.
"He Who Laughs Last" is a very well done third episode, with the show continuing to get better. The previous two episodes were good too, but "He Who Laughs Last" has a stronger mix of humour, mystery and action and has one of the more inventive story ideas of the show. Really like too how it is continuing to build upon what was set up before in terms of world building and characters, and also what it did with Verne. It is not a perfect episode, but there is a lot to like about it.
Snerret and Rowce are very annoying, their humour is not funny, their bickering is forced and their voices grate, the show always overdid their dim-witted-ness too for my tastes. Luckily though they are not in it much.
The scene in the bakery has always to me felt very cringe worthy.
On the other hand, "He Who Laughs Last" has a lot to like. Am continuing to love the distinct personalities of Cassy, Gus and Verne and their chemistry together. While Gus' imitations are absolutely priceless, especially the dead on one of Ms Crystalgazer, Verne comes off best of the three. Loved his role in the climax, he is very funny (i.e. The banana peel) and also felt sorry for him when he accidentally cast himself naked. UBOS continues to be wise, firm and amusing and Zarlak suitably sinister.
The episode does a great job with the two settings, Vonderland already feels magical and immersive and the level they travel to has genuine creepiness and foreboding. The animation is crisp and colourful and the music fits well and doesn't sound out of date. Catchy theme tune. Have little to fault the voice acting for, excepting Snerret and Rowce. Cathy Weseluk as Verne and the voice work for Zarlak particularly. The writing is not juvenile or complicated and was really struck as a young adult how self-aware and on the nose it is. The story may not be perfect, but it is eventful and entertaining with genuine tension in the conflict. Particularly in the exciting climax, which is the highlight of the episode.
Concluding, liked it a lot. 8/10.