Arthur Christmas [2011]
Directed by: Sarah Smith, Barry Cook
Written by: Peter Baynham, Sarah Smith
Starring the voices of: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jensen, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria
Comic-Con 2011. Sitting in the spacious “Hall H”, me, my friends and thousands of other people get the first preview of Arthur Christmas, a charming holiday animated film from Aardman (we were also treated to a first look at Pirates! Band of Misfits).
A bumbling Arthur (James McAvoy), clad in a festive, oversized sweater and some Christmas-y slippers appeared on screen, talking about his upcoming movie and how he loved the season. “Dude, that’s you”, said my friend Lily. Another friend refers to this movie as “my biopic”.
In case you hadn’t figured it out, I love Christmas. I really do believe it’s “the most wonderful time of the year” as the late Andy Williams said. So I wonder what took me so long to check out a film with such a clear love and respect for the December festivities, made by a studio known for quality.
I finally checked this one out and the wait was definitely worth it. I’m very demanding when it comes to animated movies, but this one hit all the right spots. A great script goes a long way and Arthur Christmas‘s inspired, exemplary writing sets it apart from your run-of-the-mill animated flicks and holiday fare.
A very clever sense of humor permeates the whole experience and guarantees something for us adults to laugh with while the little ones marvel at the pretty moving drawings. The voice cast is top-notch as well, with McAvoy, Bill Nighy, and Ashley Jensen standing out.
Arthur Christmas now joins The Holiday, Love Actually, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story and It’s a Wonderful Life as required holiday viewing at my household.
I watched this for the first time at the weekend and really enjoyed it. I thought Arthur was a little annoying at times but the rest of the characters were great. A perfect little Christmas film.
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I completely agree. Thanks, Chris 🙂
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You went to Comic-Con!? Whoa.
I think by now most of us know you love Christmas. 😉 I’ve been curious about this flick, but I don’t plan on watching it any time soon. When I get around to it.
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Yeah, I’ve gone twice, actually. Hope I get to go a third time next year 🙂
Hope you see this one eventually. It’s pretty fun.
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I saw this last year and am still trying to forget the experience: http://bit.ly/vaq89l I’m glad you enjoyed it though.
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Haha, thanks Mark. Sorry you didn’t like it 😦
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Nice review! I have to check it out!
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Thanks, Keith! Please do 🙂
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I’ve added this movie to my staples come Christmas. I was really shocked at how good it was. Good review.
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Thanks, man. Exactly the same here.
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Didn’t see it last year, but I am planning of watching it with the kids this year. Looking forward to seeing it.
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Thanks. Nice to see it making your 2012 Christmas schedule. It’s very fun. I think all of you will enjoy it.
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I’ve been curious about this since I heard so very little about it when it came out. Glad to see it made such a favorable impression on you; I’ll have to check it out sometime.
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Thanks. It’s pretty good. Hope you check it out sometime this month. It’s a very enjoyable animated flick.
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