A Monster Film Filled With Hair-raising Humour; Frightfully Original!

Rating: 10/10 (9 March 2006)

An animated musical marvel, "A Nightmare Before Christmas" shows Tim Burton at his best. This mock horror promises mischief and monsters with just a hint of romance (but unlike the pumpkins, your laughter will not be hollow). Between the original musical pieces and the captivating storyline of kidnapping Christmas, this film is a real treat, trust me, this is not a trick. After Jack Skellington, The Pumpkin King, has filled the inhabitants of Halloweentown with as much fright as is inhumanly possible, he finds himself growing frustrated with the sameness of the fearful events that occur year after year. Whilst feeling dreadfully downtrodden with boredom, Jack takes his dog Zero for a walk in the woods surrounding Halloweentown and discovers the joys of Christmas. When he returns to Halloweentown he shares his discovery with the occupants and the literally two-faced mayor decides that having Christmas instead of Halloween would be fun. In his preparations for Christmas Jack seeks the help of a young woman called Sally, who was created by the local genius, Dr. Finkelstein, to make his costume. She tries to warn Jack that his Christmas will turn to disaster. But, as you have probably guessed, he takes no notice. Once Santa was out of the way, Jack took flight on an adventure to bring the world his Christmas. However, if you haven't already foreseen it, everything goes horrifically wrong! Jack finds that his Christmas is not all fun and games. Meanwhile, Santa is fighting for his life back in Halloweentown; can Jack get back in time to save Christmas?
A lot of holiday films seem to annoy me, as they are either too sickly-sweet or full of obvious comedy, which gets boring after a while. So, if like me, you tire of watching the same Christmas films time and time again, then "The Nightmare Before Christmas" is definitely the film for you! The contrast of the fun of Christmas and the fright of Halloween are cleverly joined in this ghoulish original from Tim Burton. Danny Elfman and Chris Sarandon's Jack is a hilariously terrifying character who seems to have good intentions but his dream of Christmas is ruined because he was made to be mean, he's just not cut out for all the fun and games of Christmas. The characters created by Burton are all horrifying in their own particular way, yet they are also somewhat quirky at the same time.