Some people debate whether it's a Halloween movie or Christmas Movie, to me it's both, but Christmas is the major theme and key to the story so why not put it on a Christmas countdown of reviews. Anyway, ON WITH THE REVIEW!
The king of Halloween named Jack Skellington is tired of Halloween and wants something new. Jack then finds the magical land of Christmas Town and decides to bring the holiday to his world. Jack becomes so obsessed with the holiday that he decides to take Santa's role and bring Christmas to the world. However, all this ends up with nothing but chaos and Jack might be responsible for ruining Christmas.
Our main character Jack is not only one of the greatest Disney characters of all time, but he's also thee greatest Tim Burton character of all time. He's likable; you can feel his emotions; he can be funny; he can be scary; and he can be cool. Even though most people consider Jack as a hero and yes he does redeem himself in the end, but to me he's more of a tragic character then a hero. He's the king of Halloween, but he wants something better. When he finds something new and tries to make it his own, it all goes up in smoke. He has a love interest, but doesn't seem to notice her love for him nor does he seem to realize that she's the real thing he was looking for. He tries to bring the Christmas cheer to his friends in Halloween Town but they keep messing it up, and don't understand the good that Jack's bringing. All this stuff makes me feel bad for him then see him as a hero. Of course in the end he does learn a good lesson to be happy with what he has; don't over due a good thing; and on top of it, be true to yourself and what you stand for. Jack's design was inspired by Jack Pumpkinhead from "Return To Oz" and boy is his design cool. Jack is also voiced by two actors, his speaking voice is voiced by Chris Saradon and his singing voice is voiced by the film's composer Danny Elfman and the two are really great at voicing this character.
Next we have the love interest Sally. To be honest, Jack is
actually the love interest in this film as well; Sally is the one who goes
after Jack rather than Jack going after Sally, that's actually a clever twist. Sally
not only loves and cares for Jack, but she also tries to help Jack and she's
the only one in town who actually understands Jack. Much like Jack, she too is
a tragic character. She always has to flee from her master who uses her to
serve him; her love interest always neglects her; and she's an outcast. The
film does hint and even show that Jack likes Sally too, but he's so wrapped up
with his obsession that he doesn't take the time to even realize that. Jack and
Sally have great chemistry when they’re together and the film has great
development of them becoming a love couple. Sally has a great and creative
design as a walking rag doll corpse and Kathryn O'Hara is marvelous at voicing
Sally and boy can she sing.
Now for the villain. The villain of the film is the boogie man named Oogie Boogie who's a ghost looking sack of bugs. This villain is one of the best villains ever. He's funny, he's cool, he's villainous, he's scary, and he's sadistic. I also love the overall concept that this guy likes to gamble with his victims lives in his Las Vegas style torture chamber where the chances that are you're going to die because this villain loves to cheat. Ken Page who voices this mischievous villain is so fun to listen too, that in almost every single scene he's in, he's always chewing up the scenery with his over the top villainous personality.
The supporting characters are all just as great as our
leads. Jack has a ghost dog named Zero with a small Jack O' lattern for a
nose. He's cute, he's loyal, and he serves as Jack's only close friend. Sally's
creator Dr. Finkelstein (An obvious play on Dr. Frankenstein) is very fun, has
a cool design, and I love the many Frankenstein parody's on this character.
Oogie's henchmen Lock, Shock and Barrel are really fun characters and defiantly
represent the good and bad side of kids on Halloween. Santa Claus, well even
though he's just seen as the films victim, he's still the Santa we all know and
love despite being ticked off a lot. My favorite out of the cast is the Mayor
voiced by Glen Shadix, who is really funny and enjoyable and he's what I call a
Two Faced Mayor. The rest of the Halloween town residents are really fun and
their designs are creative and awesome. Even the designs of the scary Christmas toys that attack are
awesome.
The songs and music is completely outstanding. The score by
Danny Elfman is so great that it's out of this world, as well as bringing the
film such great atmosphere. The films opening song "This Is
Halloween" really pulls you into the films surreal world and atmosphere,
while giving great introductions to the Halloween Town
residents. The song "What's This" is very catchy, very fun, and over
the top and brings an excellent feel for Christmas. Jack's songs such as
"Jack's Lament", "Jack's Obsession" and "Poor Jack"
really, really make you feel for this character and Danny Elfman's singing is
outstanding! Sally's song is just like Jack, you feel for her emotions and her
feelings for Jack. Oggie Boogie's song is one of the best villain songs I ever
heard and "Kidnap The Sandy Claus" is the most darkest and
psychopathic song I've ever heard in a kids film. The song "Making
Christmas" is very catchy and is powerfully sung. The last song with Jack
and Sally is so beautiful that it doesn't just powerfully end the film, but is
also when the two are finally together and reveal their love for each other.
The stop motion animation by Henry Selick is amazing and still looks life like today. The designs for the three worlds are just how you expect them to be. Halloween Town is dark and twisted(Which by the way is homaging the style of films like "The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari" and "Nosferatu"); Christmas Town is all bright and colorful; and the human world looks like our world only we don't see the faces of the adults. What I also admire is the animation for the shadows of the characters, they too look creative and life like. The film also cleverly satires Holiday classics such as "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" and Rankin Bass's "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”.
The film is just so big and epic that I grantee you'll see this film in number many spots on future lists. It has a very creative premise; great creative characters who are fun, tragic and likable; catchy, unforgettable and out of this world music; mind blowing stop motion animation; and is what I like to call the ultimate Halloween and Christmas movie!
RATING 5/5
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