BrianKoller's Full Review: Nightmare Before Christmas
Kids of all ages, including the adult variety, will enjoy The Nightmare Before Christmas. Whether a small child can handle some of the more intense scenes is a judgment call, and one that I will defer to others. The film deserves its PG rating, but it also deserves to be seen.
For adult viewers, there is little doubt. It's a good movie. It has well defined characters, an original story, clever macabre humor, and a pleasing (if somewhat overdramatic) musical score. Even when Sally, the sweet little rag doll, despairingly sings about her unreturned love for Jack the Pumpkin King.
The story is similar to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Although unlike the Grinch, Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) has the best of intentions. He believes that the world wants Christmas celebrated like Halloween, because he wants Halloween celebrated like Christmas. Or something like that. He's very confused, which is not surprising for the lead character in a Tim Burton film.
Burton did not direct. That job went to unheralded Henry Selick, who like Burton had a background in animation. But Burton was producer, and he wrote the satirical poem upon which the film was based. He also has his name prominently displayed on the video box. Who can be blamed for thinking that Burton was the real director, even if he was in fact on the set of Batman Returns instead?
Whether the primary credit goes to Burton or to Selick, they have created an imaginative set of characters. I liked the three bratty kids the best. The manic-depressive, two-faced mayor was fun. So is the ghost dog with Rudolph's nose, the doll in need of good sewing thread, and even the stereotyped mad scientist with misplaced faith in Sally's cuisine. On the other hand, Oogie Boogie was something of a let down. Just a braggart in a sheet who cheats at craps. At least Beetlejuice had style.
Halloween town adapts to Christmas much better than Christmas land adapts to Halloween. It would seem that the good folks in Christmas land need a better sense of humor.
Lock is voiced by Paul Reubens of onetime 'Pee Wee Herman' fame, while Catherine O'Hara dubs both ragdoll Sally and Shock. Jack's singing voice is dubbed by Danny Elfman, who also co-produced and dubbed the voice of Barrel. Lock, Shock, and Barrel. And who says its a kid's movie?
Burton and Selick would again team up for another Disney stop-motion animated film, James and the Giant Peach (1996). The film was not up to the level of its predecessor, partly because the score for that film was by Randy Newman instead of Danny Elfman. Newman suits the bright and sunny world of Toy Story, but Elfman is a better match for Burton's gothic nightmares.
The Nightmare Before Christmas was Oscar nominated for Best Visual Effects. However, the Academy should also have nominated Danny Elfman for his soundtrack. No Tim Burton film would be complete without it. (70/100)
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