better every time

Rating: Null/10 (31 October 2004)

I decided to watch "The Nightmare Before Christmas" this Halloween, since I hadn't seen it in what feels like ages. It's one of my favorites and I have seen it about eight or nine times. Every time I watch it, I am reminded at how wonderful it really is. Far from the children's film that the bite-able video box would presume (for those of you who don't watch it on DVD). Though not directed by Tim Burton, this flick has Burton written all over it. Although conceived very early in his career, there are touches of "Frankenweenie", "Beetlejuice", among others, in here. Danny Elfman is honestly on top of his game here, creating what can easily be described as a dark "holiday" musical, mixing the over-the-top orchestrations he has become famous for with the odd lyricism that made Oingo Boingo such an odd wonder. Before Pixar took off, and perhaps sold out to the happy-go-lucky times they are presently in (contrast this film with "Finding Nemo", if you would), they collaborated with Burton and other creative types and brought pure magic to the screen. Just watching the detail of the animation in this film makes me feel tense and in awe. Absolutely wonderful piece of work!