Arthur Christmas

Do you spend much time thinking about Santa Claus? Like how does he deliver all those presents in one night and why with all our modern technology he seems to fly under the radar? Have you ever wondered why we can’t see him on Google Earth and how does he support all those elves and reindeer? Well it is obvious that the people at Aardman Animation and Sony Pictures have thought about this, a lot! They have created a wonderful film that is so detailed, intricate and full of explanation without destroying any of the fun, myth or joy of the season.

Arthur Christmas is funny, entertaining and full of holiday spirit without being cloying, sentimental or trite. There are no talking animals, no musical numbers out of nowhere and no cheap juvenile humor.  What we get is a magical world, fully realized and a three generational Claus family that is as dysfunctional as yours and mine.

Arthur Christmas (James McAvoy) is the youngest son of the reigning Santa (Jim Broadbent). He is a bit of a klutz, and kind of a mess, but he is so full of Christmas spirit and he truly idolizes his father. His older brother, Steve (Hugh Laurie) is the operations commander and he is expert and efficient at his job. On his seventieth mission, Santa has become little more than a figurehead and Steve really runs the show. But he is a good loyal son, protects his father and is waiting patiently to inherit the title. Meanwhile Arthur, his little brother, works away in the letters office.

Due to a technical error and being distracted by a Santa emergency, a little girl’s bicycle falls off the conveyor belt and she becomes the only child in the entire world without a Christmas present to open. Steve is upset for being blamed and having his promotion postponed by his father. Santa is clearly not able to complete the task; he doesn’t even know how to pilot the high-tech sleigh. So they both decide to let it go and rest on their near-perfect record. But, Arthur is appalled. In his mind every child deserves a Christmas, so with the help of his grandfather (Bill Nighy) and a diligent elf (Ashley Jensen) they go “old school”, hitch up Grandsanta’s sleigh and vow to deliver Gwen’s present before sunrise.

This movie is so well thought out and so visually rich that you won’t mind watching it again and again. It is sure to be a perennial favorite and it is the kind of movie that everyone will love. It is clever, adventurous and makes a statement about family and technology. No matter how advanced we get there is nothing like coming together over a good meal or a board game. Sometimes it’s good to go back to the basics. And this film would make an great family night out.

Rating: First Run Santa, all secrets revealed