Gargoyles
1994
Original language: English
- animation
- sci-fi & fantasy
- action & adventure
The story
In Scotland, 994 A.D. Goliath and his clan of gargoyles defend a medieval castle. In present day, David Xanatos buys the castle and moves it to New York City. When the castle is attacked the gargoyles are awakened from a 1000 year curse.
What it’s like
Dusk-blue skies over a Manhattan skyline and stone figures that come alive once the sun goes down, drawn in bold hand-inked cartoon lines with heavy shadow, deep purples and rust, and lots of night-time silhouettes against lit windows. Its sound is a brassy, orchestral action score with punchy stingers and a warm, slightly old-fashioned voice cast led by Keith David and Ed Asner, with cheeky quips traded mid-fight. The pace is brisk and episodic, with each instalment wrapping in a clear shape while a longer story builds underneath. Cartoon violence is frequent: clashes, falls, and sudden danger, though it stays bloodless and fairly light, with some eerie, dark-fantasy moments that give it a shadowy edge. The emotional register is hopeful and loyal, built around a stoic clan learning to live in an unfamiliar century and the bonds that grow between them. It suits a weekend rewatch, a comfortable late-night binge, or family viewing for people who like brooding stone heroes, gothic atmosphere, and adventure with a sense of humour.
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