Review of Arthur Christmas (2011) by John R — 20 Jan 2016

A pretty forgettable Christmas story. I know this was super well received by critics, but this is one of the rare Aardman animated films that just didn't click with me (and I'm one of the few people who actually liked Flushed Away!).

Arthur Christmas is Aardman Animations second film to use full CGI instead of their popular stop motion/claymation way of making films. First off before even going into plot I have to say I don't like the full CGI look for their films.

The claymation gives it a more dare I say human feel to it? It just seems more personal. Arthur Christmas just falls flat a few times. Before I get into that the movie is actually pretty simple. Arthur (James McAvoy) is the youngest of the Clause family.

He writes letters backs to kids that write to Santa (Jim Broadbent) and he absolutely loves everything he does. Arthurs brother Steve (Hugh Laurie) is the next in line to become Santa and has utilized the elves to do much of the work that Santa usually would have done.

With Steve its all about efficiency and getting the job done. At the end of Christmas Eve its discovered one gift was not delivered. Santa and Steve want to mail it and don't really care. Arthur having read the letters knows who's it for and knows how important it is to get it to the young lady.

So Arthur along with his grandfather Grandsanta (Bill Nighy) and Byrony (Ashley Jensen) an elf with fantastic wrapping skills head off to save the day and get the present to the young girl so her Christmas isn't ruined.

Overall, younger kids will really enjoy this one. For adults on the other hand unlike the other Aardman films this one just isn't quite for adults. It has too many random lights blowing up, or a too simple plot.

I found the character development to be lacking. I knew right off the bat Arthur was more qualified to be Santa and it never gives him any real conflicts. Probably looking too much into it, but this one was just a miss for me.

Overall, like I said kids will love it, but adults will probably want to steer clear.