A Fairy Tale After All is perfect for those who enjoyed the whimsy and wonder of Jim Henson Productions’ films as it utilizes modern technology to inject a great deal of nostalgia into viewers' hearts. Though it is a friendly trip down memory lane, the film also throws a delightful curveball or two at the audience, which makes for an overall wonderful viewing experience.

A Fairy Tale After All follows Sky (Emily Shenaut), a high schooler reeling from the loss of her father. The film opens with a storybook-like entrance to the journey she will take. The lines between the magical world and reality are blurred as Princess Geneva (also played by Shenaut), who has also lost her father, tries to come to terms with what comes next. Geneva struggles with her impending coronation after locking herself away in the castle and, upon her planned escape, she is whisked away to a desolate place by a wicked witch named Madame Mizrabel (Bridget Winder). Meanwhile, a bizarre incident sends Sky to the magical land of Celestia where she is mistaken for Geneva, thus sending her on a daring mission to save Geneva’s father. 

Related: 10 Underrated Modern Fairy Tale Adaptations That Deserve A Second Chance

a fairy tale after all review

Writer-director Erik Peter Carlson crafts a sentimental and quirky tale about one girl’s means of coping with a great loss. The spiritual connection to Jim Henson Productions, most notably 1986’s Labyrinth, is lovely and appreciated. The blend of live-action cinema with puppeteering is something of the past, but Carlson is resurrecting a beautiful tradition. A Fairy Tale After All doesn’t aim to replicate any of those famous productions — rather, it aims to blend the advancements of technology, nostalgia, and a dash of self-referential humor to create a trippy, but sweet fairy tale. The blend of animation, black and white cinematography, and other techniques express Sky's emotional journey and offer viewers a boundless adventure.

While much of the film is entertaining, the storytelling could have been revised a bit. The plot building up to Sky’s magical transportation to the Kingdom of Celestia is clunky and contrived. The narrative connection between Sky and Geneva doesn’t quite add up and the film's opening effectively equates Sky’s grieving mother to a wicked witch that steals Geneva away. There is an attempt at having an unconventional setup for the story, but the first act is ultimately too experimental to capture one's attention long enough to get to the good stuff. The third act sort of comes crashing down as, inevitably, Sky has to get out of this dream-like scenario. Ultimately, A Fairy Tale After All has a very, very entertaining middle act, with uneven opening and closing chapters.

a fairy tale after all review

Emily Shenaut is a delight. She has that perfect Disney princess quality that is forever compelling and it is understandable why Carlson would be drawn to casting her. She is charming and sweet, with a voice that is a gift to the ears. However, she does not look like she belongs in high school and the contacts she is wearing are devastatingly distracting. The role should have been played by someone who could believably portray a teenager or the story should have made Sky older; the latter is the best choice considering the very grown love interest that tags along on Sky/Geneva’s journey. Either choice would have done wonders to further immerse the audience. While A Fairy Tale After All doesn’t necessarily crumble under these choices, it does shatter the illusion Carlson is trying to build.

If one can get over the 20-minute opening and Shenaut not looking like a high schooler, A Fairy Tale After All is an impressive feat. It is a perfect marriage between ABC’s Galavant, a self-knowing parody series that riffed on the typical fairy tale conventions, and a Jim Henson production. It is amusing, clever, knowingly cheeky, and much of this is accomplished by a convergence of good ideas. Carlson doesn’t shy away from making quirky and unconventional decisions. The strange reality of having a puppet interact with humans is expanded upon in creative ways that offer the audience a unique experience. The transition from an animated theatrical number that breaks the fourth wall to a tonal switch with a cool upbeat introduction to the witch is just the beginning of the eccentric energy that permeates the film.

A Fairy Tale After All is anchored by an emotional tribute to fathers wrapped in an unusual package. Carlson throws just about everything at the wall without sacrificing joy and whimsy. Had there been a different casting choice and a more cohesive narrative, A Fairy Tale After All would have been a slam dunk from the very beginning. The film is a stone's throw away from perfection. Carlson crafts a story bursting with creativity, setting himself up to be a filmmaker worth watching. His vision and ambition are clear as day and make for a very enjoyable viewing experience. Conventional choices are thrown out the window and the audience is left with a delightful adventure worth revisiting time and time again.

NEXT: The King's Daughter Review: Brosnan Stars In Joyless, Confusing Fairytale Mess

A Fairy Tale After All releases in theaters and on demand Friday, February 18. The film is 73 minutes long and is unrated.