'How the Leopard Got His Spots' is not the first Rabbit Ears Productions adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's wonderful 'Just So Stories'. Among their very highly recommended series of animated adaptations of children's literature, three 'Just So Stories' were previously adapted (though two of them combined into one). Starting with the brilliant 'Elephant's Child' and then followed not long after by the not quite as good but still excellent 'How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin'/'How the Camel Got His Hump'.
Adapted from the fourth story in 'Just So Stories', 'How the Leopard Got His Spots', with a different animator, composer and narrator this time (whereas the previous ones had the same), is for me not as good as 'Elephant's Child' but is on the same level in its own way as 'How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin'/'How the Camel Got His Hump'. It's better paced than the latter as a result of not trying to put too much in, while not quite being quite as exciting as the former.
Will say that there is a preference for Jack Nicholson's more no-nonsense-like (the way Kipling intended for the stories to be read out) narration in the other 'Just So Stories' adaptations. Danny Glover does a great job still don't get me wrong, he infuses a lot of energy into his vocal performance and seemed to be having a lot of fun while giving the right amount of dignity too. It is really quite infectious. Occasionally though, his voice did show signs of tiring out as a few parts don't quite have the full punch vocally which did affect his diction occasionally.
On the other hand, there is nothing to remotely fault the visuals and music for. The visuals especially shine in 'How the Leopard Got His Spots', absolutely loved the majestic look of the leopard and the colours throughout are so attractively vibrant and cleverly used for each change gone through. The music score is the most authentic of all the scores in the series 'Just So Stories' adaptations, it is hard not to love how it sticks to its African roots and in such a stirringly soulful way. It certainly doesn't hurt being somebody that enjoys listening to Ladysmith Black Mambazo very much.
Furthermore, on the writing front this is a triumph. A huge part of the 'Just So Stories' charm is the masterfully playful use of language that translates with ease into the adaptation and never in a going through the motions just getting the job done way, a lot of fun was clearly had here. The story is incredibly charming and is adapted in an accessible way for both children and adults. Any moralising too doesn't resort to preaching and never comes over as too disturbing.
In summary, great. 9/10
