various amusing sidekicks add much-needed levity to the otherwise bleak tale 
(ROOT (S (NP (JJ various) (JJ amusing) (NNS sidekicks)) (VP (VBP add) (NP (ADJP (RB much) (HYPH -) (VBN needed)) (NN levity)) (PP (IN to) (NP (DT the) (ADJP (RB otherwise) (JJ bleak)) (NN tale))))))
(ROOT (S (NP (JJ ) (JJ ) (NNS )) (VP (VBP ) (NP (ADJP (RB ) (HYPH ) (VBN )) (NN )) (PP (IN ) (NP (DT ) (ADJP (RB ) (JJ )) (NN ))))))