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Monday, December 5, 2011

What makes a real Santa Claus? -- ARTHUR CHRISTMAS Movie Review


POTATO ON THE GO REVIEW (Movie):

Dozens of Santa Claus and Christmas movies and TV specials have already been produced but they commonly point at one thing on who Santa Claus is, the big fat guy with white beard in red suit that rides a sleigh with reindeers and goes down to each house's chimney to bring presents for nice children.  And that has been our standard for centuries.


Sony Pictures' upcoming holiday animated feature ARTHUR CHRISTMAS brings though another dimension to the Santa Claus that we grew up with and know.  ARTHUR CHRISTMAS reveals the incredible, never-before-seen answer to every child's question: “So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?” The answer: Santa's exhilarating, ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole. But at the heart of the film is a story with the ingredients of a Christmas classic – a family in a state of comic dysfunction and an unlikely hero: Santa’s youngest son, Arthur. When this amazing operation misses one child out of hundreds of millions, the least capable Claus embarks on a hilarious, exciting rogue mission against the clock to deliver the last present before Christmas morning dawns.





The film stars James McAvoy as Arthur, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, and Ashley Jensen. Directed by Sarah Smith. Produced by Peter Lord, David Sproxton, Carla Shelley and Steve Pegram. Written by Peter Baynham & Sarah Smith. Co-Producers are Chris Juen and Peter Baynham. Co-Director is Barry Cook.

 ARTHUR CHRISTMAS official movie trailer


ARTHUR CHRISTMAS brings in a whole new dimension on how Santa Claus in North Pole operates.  The North Pole has been transformed into an ultra modern toy production and distribution facility and Santa is a noble position passed on to generations.  Although the story brings us to the fascinating world of an industrialized North Pole, the adventures and misadventures weaved in to the film brings us back to the very essence of who Santa Claus and how Christmas is valuable to children and families.  Thanks to Arthur who has the heart for every child and never lost hope to complete their family's mission -- to give a Christmas gift to each child which symbolizes pure joy.


ARTHUR CHRISTMAS is also a surefire comedy hit as many scenes make audience laugh and giggle.  The animation of faces, although too cartoonized (with big noses and long faces) as well as the over emphasized movements spice up the fun that I believe, children will surely love.  The roles are well characterized and most of them have their hilarious highlights, from Santa, to Santa's father, to his two sons, to the elves and reindeers, plus the people disturbed during the holiday turbulence! 


Animation is fascinating especially during the journey of Arthur and his grandpa Santa where they traveled countries to look for a young girl before the Christmas sunrise.  I was particularly amazed at the scene in Africa where animals floated on air and the reindeers fall from the sleigh. 


Acting / voicing is well animated, just right for a family oriented comedy animation.  James McAvoy was able to portray well the naive and innocent character of Arthur, Hugh Laurie is also effective being the fierce Steve and Jim Broadbent was perfect as the confused Santa who rediscovered himself. 


I consider ARTHUR CHRISTMAS as perfect movie for the coming holidays.  The values taught, the fun and adventure, and the visual delight featured in the film make is good family movie.

So what makes a real Santa Claus?  The belly, the beard, the red suit, the sleigh and the chimney do not make up who Santa is.  Santa Claus, who I think symbolizes Jesus' Christ love for children, is the one who thinks of every child and finds a way to make him or her happy during Christmas, no matter what the odds will be. 


From a scale of 1 to 10 claps, I'm giving ARTHUR CHRISTMAS a merry 8!  From Sony Pictures and distributed locally by Columbia Pictures, ARTHUR CHRISTMAS opens in theaters on Wednesday, December 07. 

Advanced Merry Christmas folks!  :)



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