Scary Holiday fun, great music, wonderful story

Rating: Null/10 (22 August 2004)

Tim Burton's dark original story is brought to life in this rendition. This movie is what I strongly consider a musical. Meaning that the songs in this story move the story forward and unlike soundtracks from other modern movies which are used for background music, Danny Elfman's score is brilliant, creative, challenging and adds a level of otherworldly depth to the environment, story and characters.
This movie is timeless, indicating that as we watch, timeframe is not an issue. All that is important are two dates  Christmas and its opposite  Halloween. How unique of Burton to identify these as the only two holidays that are seemingly `opposite' of each other. This is where the core of the story rests. The lead character who has done the Halloween thing over and over and over as the King of Halloween wants a diversion. He wants to find himself or redefine himself as more than just another ghoul. Jack finds a `place' where the holidays are represented in the woods as trees. He is particularly attracted to one particular tree and returns from that visit  a new person. He is intent on bringing the new holiday land he has found  Christmas, with a dark, scary Halloween like twist.
Although Danny Elfman sings the lead role with his deep, booming voice  Chris Sarandon makes Jack loveable, caring yet confused with his soft and light voicing of the character.
The amazing thing is the stop motion animation. We've all seen it  from king Kong movies in the 30's-40's, to `Land of the Lost' in the 70's. You'll be absolutely amazed at what you will see in this film. Running Water? Yes, actual running water. It didn't think that was possible but, you'll see it. All of the background characters have a story that we are all familiar with from Dracula, The Harlequin Devil and his trademark goatee but Burton also reminds us of other scary things that don't have to have a physical presence such as `the wind blowing through your hair' and `the thing hiding under your stairs'.
Parents are strongly recommended to check the movie out before setting it loose on younger kids. It does have a PG rating but some of the characters and the dark mood of the film can be overwhelming and very scary to some children. Preview the film.
Another Tim Burton Classic (along with Edward Scissorhands) you'll find this a charming holiday tale.