A touch of life action wraps around this model-mation extravaganza by A Nightmare before Christmas' Henry Selick. Based on the children's book by Roald Dahl. Spielberg closes the beach and opens the cash register. First in a long line of box-office heavyweights. Redford does Grizzly Adams.
Slow pace threatens to induce frost bite, but scenery and cinematography are top-notch.
Appraised at less than face value. Weak ending ruins fine film and dashes Abe Vigoda's comeback hopes. Hanks' dance on the floating trunk is classic. Thompson is typically terrific, and the light comedy is an overall success. No wonder he's got all the money.