I personally do not get the ratings. The animation looks amazing and unique. The story and characters are a bit weird but they have their charm. The only thing I do not get is the choice of voices for certain characters.

Melanoff doesn't sound like the old man he looks like. The Barnabys sounds like adults when they are the youngest kids. They are surely weird like they are described, that's a fact.

It's kinda a modern "A series of unfortunate events". Considering the story, Mr Gervais is perfect as the narrator! However, in my opinion, his voice and pitch doesn't really fit the cat. In all, it is a great story, with some mistakes, but fantastic animation to back it up.

I loved the differences in animation between the story itself and what the children imagine!