Arthur Christmas (Rated PG)
- Voiced by James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton
- Directed by Sarah Smith, Barry Cook
- Plot: Santa's youngest son, a screw-up by nature, sets out on a mission to save Christmas for one little girl.
Every year, it seems a new film or two compete to become a Christmas classic that will have audiences wanting to watch it every year. My family has our list of must sees – A Christmas Story, Home Alone 1 & 2, It's A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Scrooged, and Die Hard 1 & 2. Arthur Christmas will be the first new film to grace that list since 2003's Elf.
In Arthur Christmas, Santa and his family live at the North Pole; it's a high-tech operation run by Santa's oldest son, Steve, who's chomping at the bit for the “old man” to step down and pass the reigns to him. Steve (Hugh Laurie) loves the thrill of doing the job to perfection, but he lacks the heart (and the love for children. His dad, the current Santa (Jim Broadbent) is hesitant to step down as he loves the adulation of the kids. Throw in Mrs. Santa (Imelda Staunton) who is feeling neglected by her husband and Grandsanta (the previous Santa voiced by Bill Nighy) who hate all of the technology Steve has developed and you find Arthur as the heart of your typical screwed-up family.
After Santa returns from his yearly journey (aboard a decked out stealth craft), Steve declares Christmas as “Mission Accomplished.” Then Arthur discovers that one child has been left out. When Steve and Santa don't deem it worthy to risk their entire operation for a single child, Arthur goes to no end to make sure that Christmas comes to every child.
The animation in Arthur Christmas is wonderful. The film is the first film for Aardman Studios (the studio responsible for Wallace & Gromit) since 2006's Flushed Away. It is also Aardman's first foray into 3D films. I saw this in standard format, so I can't comment on the 3D, but the animation fit the story perfectly.
The voice work is very good, and the story is delightful. McAvoy as Arthur brings a sweetness and a sense of wonder that adds to the film. Completely in awe of everything around him, this childlike joy is infectious. Laurie's Steve is a no-nonsense guy that the actor embodies so well. The real delight here though is the Bill Nighy as Grandsanta. His character is a crotchety old man intent on reliving his glory days and showing his heirs how it was done in his day.
Sweet and touching, yet laugh-out-loud hilarious, Arthur Christmas is one I can't wait to see again.
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