Arthur Christmas 3D
(2011)British animated Christmas fantasy from Aardman Animation (Wallace and Gromit, Flushed Away), from the writer of Borat and TV's I'm Alan Partridge.... More
James McAvoy voices Arthur, the son of Santa Claus (Jim Broadbent) and Mrs Claus (Imelda Staunton), and brother of Steve (Hugh Laurie). Together the family run a high-tech operation in the North Pole that allows Santa to deliver presents to all the world's children in one night.
Also involved is Bill Nighy, who plays 136-year-old Grandsanta, a curmudgeon who hates the modern world and thinks things were better when he delivered the presents, and Ashley Jensen (from TV's Extras, Ugly Betty), who voices ambitious elf Bryony from the Giftwrap Battalion.Hide
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Directed by Barry Cook, Sarah Smith
Starring James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie, Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jensen, Miggie Donahoe
Written by Peter Baynham, Sarah Smith
Studio Aardman Animation, Sony Animation
Out Now (On-Demand,
DVD or Blu-Ray)
Flicks Review
BY James Croot Flicks Writer
Let’s face it, last year’s excellent Finnish action-comedy Rare Exports apart, Christmas movies have been something to dread for sometime now. From the garish ‘family’ comedies Jingle All the Way and Deck the Halls to the dead-eyed horrors of The Polar Express and the laughter-free zones that were Four Holidays and Fred Claus, Hollywood’s holiday offerings have been less than joyful or triumphant. Thank little baby Jesus then for Aardman, whose latest computer-animated offering (think Flushed Away rather than Wallace and Gromit) refreshes the old son of Santa storyline with both wit and aplomb.... More
As we’ve come to expect from the brilliant Bristol-based animation experts, the visuals are crisp and clean with an attention to detail that’s both breathtaking and rewarding for those who like to scan the full frame (and these are guys who have never met a visual pun they didn’t like).
Likewise, the script is jam-packed full of zingers and action – the opening Operation Santa montage a particular highlight – while eagle-eared audience-members will catch the cues which homage much-loved blockbusters like Harry Potter and Superman amongst Harry Gregson-Williams’s excellent score.
Amongst a universally impressive vocal cast, Bill Nighy threatens to steal the show as the cantankerous and crafty Grandsanta in a thoroughly entertaining movie that deserves to sleigh audiences both young and old this Yuletide.Hide
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Arthur Christmas 3D
The Press Reviews
A great, big joy. Even if you’re a bit bah humbug, just delight in the supremely clever Aardman comedy. Full Review
Aardman’s sparkling, inventive take on Santa truly delivers the holiday goods. Full Review
A joyful, simple Christmas movie with a heartfelt message. Full Review
An odd Anglo-American collaboration that will bring a little brief happiness to undemanding children. Full Review
There are plenty of ho-ho-hos here, but there’s definitely something missing, and we don’t just mean the plasticine. Full Review
A brisk computer-animated adventure clever enough to become essential yuletide viewing. Full Review
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