A remarkable achievement at the time and looks even better by today's standards

Rating: 10/10 (25 December 2007)

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
Jack Skellington is king of Halloweenland but is becoming bored with everyone treating him like the best and wants to try something new. Then suddenly he is sucked into this magical place called Christmastown, where everything is happy and merry, and he learns of the existence of Santa Claus, who brings joy and happiness to the children on Christmas Day. His heart filled with a wonderful new feeling, he has Santa kidnapped and with his own Santa costume goes back into Christmastown to take his place. But it doesn't quite work out...
With all the big hit animation films Pixar bring out nowadays, some may have forgotten this little family film from Touchstone Pictures that came out nearly 15 years ago. With all the wonderful films Pixar bring out now and all the amazing things they can do, it just leaves you feeling that this never got all the appreciation it deserved at the time.
This is a wonderfully dark, twisted tale that could only have come from the mind of Tim Burton. He's tried to make a more family themed film with this, using a peculiar type of animation instead of filming it live. They use a similar type in the new Lloyd's TSB ads and it certainly works for the theme of this film.
It's more for kids, of course, but grown ups will still appreciate the fine work on display from all involved. Some complained at the time it may have been too scary for kids but there's nothing overly unpleasant here that can't be explained away to young minds. Looking back, and seeing what they can do today, it's quite a work to behold. *****