Nightmare Before Christmas (October 29, 1993)

I adored this film as child. It was an unforeseen success for Disney and can be credited as starting the trend of feature length stop motion animated films. It is a co-production by Skellington productions (named after the protagonist of this film, Jack Skellington, and founded by Tim Burton, who also directed this film) and Touchstone pictures, a studio owned by Disney that specialized in releasing more mature and unique films deemed unsuitable for the main Disney studio. I have a soft spot for stop motion animation. It is a labor-intensive medium that carries with it a unique, often macabre, style. The film itself follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, who tires of his crown and wishes for a change from his monotonous town of perpetual Halloween. He then stumbles upon a grove filled with doors to other worlds. He enters one and is transported to Christmas town. Enraptured by this land of joy and cheer he decides to bring these feelings back to his home and create his own version of Christmas to spread throughout the world. Jack is a Shakespearean character with a penchant for the dramatic and theatricality. He is bored of his life, despite his success at his job, and wishes for a change. He sees Christmas as a magical holiday that invokes in him feelings he had long since forgotten, hope and happiness. However, while Jack’s intentions are good, he becomes obsessed with Christmas and, blinded by his hubris, fails to see the catastrophe that awaits him if he continues along his path. Halloween and Christmas do not mix and thus he is only able to create a pale, corrupt imitation of the genuine article. He also decides to kidnap Santa Claus, chronicled in the excellent song “Kidnap the Sandy Claws”, so he can assume the mantle. The only voice of reason is Sally, his admirer, who has a premonition of the disastrous things that will befall Jack. Because of her love for him, Sally tries to dissuade Jack, but he brushes her off, already too far down his path. She is a wonderful character who longs to be free from her literal prison (as she is the creation of a mad scientist) much like Jack feels he is trapped by the expectations of his fellow townsfolk, as sung in “Jack’s Lament”. The Oogie Boogie man is a fabulous villain complete with an excellent song in, “Oogie Boogie’s Song” which showcases his dastardly nature and his sinister plans for the kidnapped Santa Claus. Overall, The Nightmare Before Christmas is fantastic, with great and complex protagonists, entertaining side characters, and catchy songs, all wrapped in a delightfully creepy package; it is a must watch for both Halloween and Christmas.

Final Rating: 9/10