This movie is so great, it doesn't just get you hyped up for Christmas, it creates an entirely different universe to modernize the original Christmas story itself, while not totally excluding the original story to begin with, which is an amazing feat for this film to accomplish. Also, it has likable, creative, and memorable characters, outstanding action scenes, great voice acting, and just a certain charm that makes this film one of the best in the recent history of holiday motion picture. Sure, it has a few flaws, it can be predictable, all the edgy moments are just ploys to make the children laugh, and it has several plot holes or two, like after watching the first couple minutes, you figure "That's how Santa delivered the gifts in one night", only to learn the reindeer and sleigh were still used, just many years ago, which is kinda cool, considering it still keeps the old story while modernizing it, but it still leaves the age old question handy: "How DID Santa Claus travel across the earth in one night"? Oh well, I guess we'll keep on having to remind ourselves and the young children screaming in the theaters "It was all magic", and hope they accept that. Now, before I continue with the film, let me mention that this film opens up with a Justin Bieber song. Didn't know that? Neither did I, I guess both of us forgot to look in the bottom left corner of the movie poster (Look closer, you'll find it soon enough). It's probably one of his better songs, but that's probably because he didn't write it, because if he did, he'd probably add a sub-plot about "Love" in the song. Unfortunately for Justin, one month after this film was released, he admitted to "Not believing in Santa Claus". That was a horrible move on his part, because his biggest fan base comes from young girls. Anyways, off topic, his song was kinda enjoyable, but not something you'll put on your MP3 or IPod. Now, to the story, because this is the best part about the film. The opening scene shows a young girl writing a letter to Santa, and then it shows our main character writing back (OK, OK, this is a plot hole. First of all, who ever received a letter BACK from Santa, let alone one of his elves! Second, later in the film, Santa looks at the letter Arthur wrote back to the girl, on Christmas day, STILL ON ARTHUR'S DESK. Now, back to liking the film). It's a pretty heartwarming scene besides the OBVIOUS flaws. Next, we get the scene of the elves delivering the toys to the children in their homes, and this part you gotta love. It's intense, it's cool, and it explains a lot, like how the team of Elves and Santa can really tell if you're naughty or nice, why naughty children still get gifts, and what happens if a child wakes up when an elf or Santa is in the house. It's really creative and very fun. The rest of the story tells the story of Arthur, a clumsy tall elf who loves Christmas more than most, but he discovers a child has been missed, and that child won't be getting a present this year, as at that point in the movie, it's extremely late on Christmas Eve. Santa knows that it's wrong to leave a child behind, but Steve, Arthur's brother and Santa's son, convinces him that it's too dangerous, but Arthur joins the former Santa (The one with the sleigh and reindeer) to get the present back to the child. Now, I watched a film not to long ago, a spin-off of the TV show called Animaniacs, the film being called Wakko's Wish, and I don't want to explain the plot to deeply, but basically one of the 3 siblings are sick, and they have to take her to a wishing star (Don't ask) by sled. It's very similar to Arthur Christmas, with Arthur and old Santa take the sleigh to the girl, but Arthur Christmas done it was better, for 3 reasons:
1. Just because you're in a sleigh doesn't mean character interaction isn't obsolete. Arthur Christmas knew this, and had the characters discuss strategies, talk about the past, talk about the new Santa, etc. Wakko's Wish... Literally, for the 30 or so minutes they're riding on the sleigh, all they do is sing a very bland and boring, but mildly amusing song.
2. Arthur Christmas has amazing scenery, with excellent detail and making sure you didn't miss any of the scenery while still listening to the characters talk. Wakko's Wish has just snow and trees.
3. Arthur Christmas takes advantage of it's surroundings, doing tricks on the sleigh, flying through city street, and using compasses and maps to get to their destination. Wakko's Wish has no maps, no compasses, no small breaks, just sledding and singing the whole way through.
Now, because I do it in every new review, it's time for the Best and Worst of Arthur Christmas! The best is obviously the story. It has plot holes, sure, but the idea and execution of it will make children love it for answering many questions. The worst is probably the character Steve. I know, you thought I would have said plot holes, but that's a tie for the worst with Steve, the brother of Arthur. He's intelligent, and seems cool with the start of the movie, but then becomes the obvious villain and it down grades the film a little bit. But heck, every film has flaws, but the innovation and creativity of this film will make you want to watch it every year. Check it out. Oh and one more thing, Happy Holidays.
5/5
