Review of The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) by Matthew D — 19 Nov 2013

Classic Halloween family film.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) is Tim Burton at his creative peak and he did not even direct this one. Henry Selick directed The Nightmare Before Christmas with the same dark Gothic vibe as his other clay-mation classics James and the Giant Peach and Coraline. It is so charming and colorful, lush detailed environments crafted by hand. The stop motion work is phenomenal. Selick's eye for interesting shots and cinematographic juxtaposition is lovely. The pace is fast and the lighting is so pretty.

Danny Elfman is the main star here really with his gorgeous, haunting score filled with memorable songs every few moments. Elfman's score makes Nightmare a musical you will never forget. His lyrics are funny and tender that match well with his atmospheric symphony in the background. Elfman's own singing voice as Jack echoes with powerful and distinctly moving.

Similarly, Catherine O'Hara's soft voice is melodious and sweet as Sally. Lastly, Ken Page eats up the scenery with his booming and bellowing cabaret proven voice of Oogie Boogie.

Then, Tim Burton's story is a fantasy narrative on the morals and purpose of Halloween and Christmas alike. Burton creates unique, quirky characters to tell the tale of romance and boredom with the mundane aspects of life. Jack and the Halloween townsfolk become obsessed with the idea of Christmas without understanding its giving, loving nature. You and your family will learn the meaning of Christmas and Halloween while enjoying the wonderful scenes adored with care.

Finally, the stop motion and clay work is remarkable in Nightmare. The sheer volume of puppets and figures is daunting and impressive on its own. The layered backgrounds, intricate designs, and meticulous details in Nightmare is excellence in artistry on their own merits. Few films will ever match the skill level of the hand made clay figures herein. Perhaps Henry Selick's own Coraline is the only comparable film.

Overall, The Nightmare Before Christmas is awesome. Fun, fast, and so joyful in its scares and laughs. I watch this movie every Christmas and Halloween without a miss.