Arthur Christmas

Studio Aardman has been on a roll lately. Its latest film, "Pirates," was a success with both audiences and critics, as was the film "Arthur Christmas," which once again showed that it is still possible to make an interesting and funny Christmas movie. After the terrible Easter flop "Hop," I was afraid of another holiday disappointment, but Aardman does not disappoint. Although "Flushed Away" didn't impress me, I really enjoyed this one. Well, I mostly enjoyed the first half, where you discover the Aardman world and how the gifts and their distribution work. Santa already has quite a tough job, so it's not all hard work, but the best part is how well thought out it all is. While you're figuring out how Santa's world works and what his family is like, it's fun. But then comes the main plot, which is delivering a gift to a child who was the only one not to receive one. Well, modern technology doesn't work perfectly even for Santa. The second half is stretched out with action, trying to prevent the fact that the film is narratively empty from coming to the surface. This is compensated by the wonderfully voiced characters. Can you guess which character Hugh "Dr. House" Laurie voices? More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/08/lode-stud-zoo-marylin-pulnoc-v-parizi.html (24/02/2013)

A very original Christmas animated action film that is, or may in time be, much like Burton's pre-Christmas nightmare - it can be watched any time, winter or summer, and always entertains. The Aardman-esque poetics work as charmingly as in the legendary plasticine (or digital plasticine) stories, the idea that the Christmas gift-giving is one big military operation is not wrong, and the whole spy-parody vibe fits perfectly with the "power struggle" between Santa's two sons. I also have to praise Gregson-Williams' music, which made the first ride on the old sleigh into a spectacular experience, and of course the original English dubbing, which made me happy with the cute participation of Michael Palin. It was simply sensational and I am already looking forward to a trip to Trelew (I just don't know which one yet). (29/08/2013)