Wouldn't you like to see something strange?

Rating: 7/10 (25 October 2013)

And now the movie that made us debate endlessly: "Are we supposed to watch it on Christmas or Halloween?"
Obviously a brilliant concept from the guy who dreamt up Vincent (1982), The Nightmare Before Christmas' idea of blending a kid's two favourite holidays has attracted and sustained a fierce cult following. The basic idea is that holidays are places, and when Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, stumbles into Christmas Town, he feels a need to take it over. See, he's tired of Halloween, what anyone would feel if they were living the same holiday everyday. If he spent time in our universe and discovered we celebrate Christmas three months straight, he'd no doubt grow weary of it, too.
In spite of being a Tim Burton fan, Nightmare Before Christmas wasn't regular viewing for me- I watched it once when it came out, and I may have been a bit young for it. Some things, like talk of Santa Claus being chopped up, are kind of freaky for a kid who, you know, still believes in Santa Claus. But as well, watching it now for the first time in years, the movie is lacking in a few areas- namely, the songs. One guy I went to university with complained "This Is Halloween" was the only great song in the movie, the rest was like nails on a chalkboard to him. Actually I'd say "Sally's Song" is great, too- a memorable, hauntingly sad tune I've been humming to myself for years. Beyond that, some songs are just forgettable- I just watched it, and I can't even remember what it sounded like when Jack decided to take over Christmas. What does "Making Christmas" sound like apart from the chorus? Other songs have elements of quality in them but drag on too long ("What's This?"). So yeah, for some kids, and adults, it would be a drag to see this movie.
I love villains, but Oogie Boogie was also very underwhelming ("Let's make him a gambler! Why not?"). The mad scientist was a lot more interesting.
Still, there's little denying the merit in the creativity, or the strange yet beautiful look of the stop motion animation. No wonder this movie has its fans.
Happy Halloween.