Arthur Christmas, an Aardman production for Sony Pictures Animation, starts off very similarly to Disney's holiday special Prep & Landing with secret agent-like elves using advanced technology and gadgetry to complete their deeds as Santa's little helpers on Christmas Eve. Although it seemed to be an outright copycat at first, Arthur Christmas used this idea in a much cooler and eye-catching way. After getting out of a jam and finishing a long night of delivering presents in the very high tech S1 sleigh, the elves and the Santa family celebrate back at the North Pole. Then they find out about the wrapped-up bicycle that went unnoticed and undelivered.
The current Santa, boringly voiced by Jim Broadbent (a bit of a letdown since he is the iconic figure), goes right to sleep, ignoring the forgotten child. The Santa-to-be, Santa's son Steve, voiced by Hugh Laurie, claims that the night was still a success due to the very small margin of error. But Arthur, Santa's youngest son, voiced by James McAvoy, is as obsessed with the holiday as Will Ferrel's Elf and believes that the present must be delivered so the child can wake up to a gift the way all children should. Grandsanta, hilariously voiced by Bill Nighy, agrees to help with his old sleigh to prove that newer is not always better.
Along with an elf that has a knack for wrapping, the former Santa and his grandson set off on an adventure. As funny and emotional as the film may be, there are some issues. It's very interesting to see an all British cast in an Americanized Christmas movie, but at times it seemed a little too British. I've seen many acclaimed British comedies that I've enjoyed, but have also been like "What the hell is this guy saying?" Grandsanta has some great lines, but also some that went right over my head because of his extreme accent. British! British! British!
And as with most 3D movies, it's completely unnecessary. This style is even less appreciated when you're in a theater as crappy as South Bay Cinemas in West Babylon where they don't even turn the lights off until you say something. Some material in the film also seemed to be a bit much for children, which made me laugh, but may not have been understood by my eight-year-old sister. And as likable as the main character should be, Arthur was a bit intolerable at times due to McAvoy's overacting and nonstop yelling that exceeded normal excitement.
Nevertheless, Arthur Christmas is a good new Christmas movie, although part of me thinks it won't be played every holiday season for years to come. I could be wrong though because I've seen Fred Claus played on TBS multiple times and that movie is as enjoyable as a three-year-old fruitcake. It could become a classic since it borrows from other holiday films like the aforementioned Fred Claus, showing the lives of the entire Santa family, Prep & Landing, with its use of high tech elves, and Elf, with its super excited human who kind of acts like an elf, but manages to make itself an original treat.
Arthur Christmas may share a few similarities with these films, but its emotional ending and Christmas message, along with its great use of humor, make it stand out. After decades of the same holiday specials being played over and over, hopefully future Christmas movies can try to achieve their own unique styles, giving us a whole new batch of holiday treats.
I think I'll try implementing a star rating for those of you who don't like to read.
Here you go: 3/4 stars
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