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7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Night Before Christmas remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for animation that looks like it was drawn by hand back when people still used ink pots, then yeah, put it on. It’s perfect for people who want something short and sweet, maybe with a cup of cocoa.
If you need high-octane pacing or a complex story, stay away. You’ll probably hate how slow and predictable it is. It’s not trying to be The Light That Failed; it’s just trying to be cozy.
The whole thing starts with the poem, which is fine, but the real meat is when the toys start moving. Seeing a toy airplane act like a skywriter is one of those oddly specific details that stuck with me. It’s charming, even if the animation is a bit stiff by today’s standards.
There is this one moment where the toy soldiers start firing balls from their cannons to decorate the tree. It felt a little aggressive for Christmas, but hey, it’s a cartoon. It reminds me of the chaotic energy you see in something like Sailor Izzy Murphy where stuff is just happening everywhere on screen at once.
The blimp sequence is kind of a weird choice. A toy blimp delivering a star to the top of the tree? It felt a little too big for the room. I spent the whole time wondering how it didn't crash into the ceiling fan.
Santa’s entrance is exactly what you expect. He’s the jolly guy who knows his way around a chimney. The laughter that wakes the kids up? A bit cliché, but it works. It’s not exactly The Unborn, so don't expect any deep psychological thrills here.
The movie doesn't overstay its welcome. It ends right when the magic starts to wear thin. It’s not trying to be a masterpiece, and honestly, that’s why I kind of liked it. Sometimes you just need to watch a cartoon blimp hit a Christmas tree and call it a night. night. 🎄