227. The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Director: Tim Burton

Starring: Chris Sarandon

Danny Elfman

Catherine O'Hara

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 8

"There's children throwing snowballs / instead of throwing heads / they're busy building toys / and absolutely no one's dead!"

In Halloweentown, things are all about the frightful holiday. The town's ruler, Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon, but all songs are performed by Danny Elfman), has grown tired of the holiday and no longer finds the joy in scaring people like he once did. One evening, Jack is taking a walk in the forest with his dog and comes across trees with doors leading to different holidays. He decides to open the door to the Christmas tree, and instantly falls in love with the holiday. He goes back to Halloweentown, and holds a town meeting to explain to them about Christmas. The town's reception of the new holiday is very positive, leading Jack to devise a plan to take over this year's Christmas celebration.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a refreshing alternative view of Christmas that satisfies on many different levels. It is of course an animated children's movie, but merits enough technical achievements to please the most critical of film lovers. It's amazing use of stop-motion animation still looks incredible seventeen years after it's original release. Director Tim Burton's unique vision for cinema provides the perfect amount of darkness, to what could have easily been just another cliche Disney musical cartoon. The voice work is also very solid, including the exception work of Chris Sarandon. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a treat for adults, film lovers, and children alike.

The true star of this film is composer Danny Elfman. Elfman's incredible score and lyrics are the heart of this film. He is truly one of Hollywood's most original music writers and conducters. In addition to filling the role of writer and composer for the film, Elfman also provided the signing voice of Jack Skellington. He gives Jack's character a certain charisma, that makes it impossible to not fall in love with him. This film provided the perfect forum for a talent like Elfman's to take center stage.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of those rare animated films that doesn't stop on just trying to please it's younger audience. Director Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman again show us what a good collaboration can turn out to be. It might be little short on length, lasting only seventy-six minutes. Although, those seventy-six minutes are full of catchy music and stunning animation. Overall, I really did enjoy this film, as comes with a very strong endorsement.