Substance: A disappointing adaptation, clearly intended for "children who won't know any better" rather than for serious readers. (Some of the problems may be present in the novel itself, which I have not read despite its popularity with my family.) Major disconnect: the Abbot keeps insisting they are a peaceful abbey and he wants no fighting, but when the Rats attack, the abbey suddenly is equipped with archers, lots of arrows, and a squad of armed and armored fighters - AND NOBODY IN THE ABBEY COMMENTS ON THE DISCONNECT. Duh. Other than that, the adaptation clearly dumbs down the events and characters, producing lack-luster stereotypes, although the denizens of the mixed-sex abbey (!) are generally kind and courageous (and I hope the Abbot is a caricature of the novel's character).

Maybe OK if you don't think the watchers will ever read the books. Other than one frightening scene in the very beginning, the violence is minimal cartoonish stuff.

Style: The novel is divided into 6 segments of about 20 minutes each, suitable for Saturday morning cartoons, including the commercial-cuts. The artwork is minimal, but brightly colored. The animation is pedestrian. The scripts are plodding. Continuity is weak. ( )