Arthur Christmas (2011)

Aardman prove that their films don't need to be stop-motion clay animation for them to be good. Arthur Christmas is a great modern Christmas film with the right amount of positivity and sentimentality. What I found brilliant about the film was the theme of old vs new, with how technology has incorporated itself firmly into the process of delivering the presents and how the old has been pushed off to the side. This is explored beautifully through how old vs new can be mixed to great effectiveness, and makes for a great moral message.The humour is delightful, especially from Bill Nighy's Grandsanta who is an absolute delight with his nostalgic ramblings. The voicework in general is fantastic from an all-star cast including James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Imedlda Staunton, Ashley Jensen, Hugh Laurie and even Michael Palin in a small role.Overall, this is a lovely animated film, and one that is worthy to be held up with the best of the best in terms of Christmas films.

'Arthur Christmas' is one of the many modern Christmas films that reviewers claim will be the 'next festive classic' that we'll watch every year. And maybe for some it will be, but for me it's just another good Christmas film, not a classic.It has its moments. Aardman bring all of their normal charm to the proceedings, and you can't deny they've assembled a very good voice cast. But there isn't enough story to hang all the jokes onto, and the story that there is feels stretched. Arthur sets off to save the day, it's a very long hour before he does.For young children I think this film reveals too much about the myth of Santa, and the fact he doesn't 'actually' deliver the gifts (relying on elves to do the work) may upset some.Its got a nice message, it's got a good heart, but much like a nicely decorated present, there's not much inside.

Arthur Christmas (2011): Dir: Sarah Smith / Voices: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Ashley Jensen: This holiday gem addresses the idea of Santa as oppose to what we view as a figure. Arthur is Santa's son who answers every letter. His older brother Steve has advanced the North Pole past sleighs and reindeer to a massive ship that he can communicate with from the North Pole. He hopes to be the next Santa since his father has just completed his 70th year on the mission. Central plot regards a gift that was accidentally not delivered. Arthur is frantic and sees every child as valuable. Steve however, sees this as petty and that mistakes sometimes occur. Arthur sets out with his grandfather who still conceals the old sleigh and reindeer, and they set off to deliver that one gift before sunrise. Director Sarah Smith is backed with an interesting concept but the structure is just one mistake after another although the landing is Africa is hilarious. The ending is to no surprise, and the whole issue of Santa's legacy goes against traditional narratives but the digital world presented is sparkling and a sight to behold. James McAvoy voices the resourceful Arthur whose Christmas spirit flourishes without restrain. Hugh Laurie voices Steve whose frustration leads to compromise until he faces facts. Jim Broadbent voices Santa who may need to hand down his duties. Bill Nighy voices grand-Santa who believes in tradition. Finally there is Ashley Jensen who plays a high spirited elf. Exciting holiday animation about our image of Santa verses his spirit of giving. Score: 7 / 10

I happened upon a trailer for Arthur Christmas when trying to find films to get into that special Christmas mood which eluded me for some reason - perhaps the lack of snow and general cheeriness. I was a bit skeptic since a lot of animation lately have been kept simple - as in unvaried, non-complex and mundane - in both story and execution but Arthur Christmas was nothing of the kind: Brilliant animation to dazzle and keep you watching, ingeniously written characters that you cannot help but love, a fantastical story with an innovative and credible depiction of how Santa works in this age of technology and how he actually manages to distribute all those gifts around the world. It is a tale about family and persistence and what it means to do the proper thing even when it's hard and you feel discouraged. And it is funny and heartwarming and made me feel gooey and fuzzy inside. A proper feel-good film. But let's be honest, it will not be for everyone. There is always someone who expects more than any film can carry and so I must tell you this: if you don't like Christmas films, animation and the British, this film will not be for you. You Scrooge.