A scene from “The Masque of the Red Death” (GKids)

Extraordinary Tales is the perfect little bon mot to kick off the Halloween season. It is a slight, charming, and charmingly macabre animated adaptation of five Edgar Allen Poe short stories, all illustrated, directed, and adapted by Raul Garcia.

There is also a mediocre framing device that sets up Poe as a raven chatting with death, who takes the form of a female statue. It’s not nearly as involving or interesting. But cut Garcia a break, he did some admirable heavy lifting on the rest of the film.

Garcia uses varied animation styles in homage to such artists as Alberto Breccia, Edvard Munch, Egon Schiele, and, of course, EC Comics. The narrators for the segments are the late Christopher Lee, Guillermo del Toro, Julian Sands, and Bela Lugosi (from a 1940s recording of “The Tell-Tale Heart.”) Roger Corman gets a line in the otherwise wordless “Masque of the Red Death.”

Garcia has given each tale a unique stamp so that the stories don’t fall together like mush. Each looks like, and actually is, a separate short film. My personal favorite is “Masque of the Red Death.” Garcia depicts the storyline through the lush and debauched goings-on in the castle while the plague carries on outside until…well…you know. It’s simply a gorgeous visual piece.

Credit must also be given to composer Sergio de la Puente. His score contemplates each piece beautifully. He gives a lush, orchestral sheen to the music while always maintaining an eerie, ominous pulse beneath. It’s truly gorgeous.

Extraordinary Tales works for the Poe enthusiast since most of us are thrilled if a filmmaker simply doesn’t manage to muck it up, which Garcia definitively does not. The film could also stand as intro to Poe’s work as the pieces are simple to follow, easily digestible, and never overstay their welcome. Extraordinary Tales is an admirable addition to Halloween night movie marathons.