Review of Arthur Christmas (2011) by Mloy X — 17 Nov 2014

Arthur (James McAvoy): There is a Child without a present!

Steve (Hugh Laurie): Arthur! Christmas is not a time for emotion!

For a film with a stellar cast of talented actors, this film kind of fizzled for me. It was so formulaic, it was almost as mechanical and cold as Steve's Operation Christmas. None of the characters were endearing enough; not Arthur, not Bryony, not even poor little Gwen... grandsanta came close but who doesn't love Bill Nighy in any form (even animated)? As good natured-as the story was, it still seemed to lack genuine heart- there's was really no "awww" moment in this film; nothing really magical about the experience. Overall, I wan't to say watching this film was underwhelming, bordering on disappointingly boring; which was too bad because there it could have been done better- but there was really nothing special about this film- just some old rehashed notion of the underdog-done-good formula, that is a tired and lazy style of story-telling If you want to watch a truly endearing band of Christmas misfits, watch "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (with Hermey the elf who wants to be a dentist and Yukon Cornelius)...now there's a fun bunch and a timeless classic that is sure to entertain.