The ultimate holiday crossover, and a landmark for animation.
*I personally consider this to be the ultimate November movie (combining the holidays of October and December), and that is why I have written this review now in particular.
The reason this film is so highly lauded is how it merges to beloved times of the year together. Nightmare does this in ways which extend beyond the lavish aesthetic, the atmosphere of both seasons permeate the film throughout. The creepy joy of Halloween and the whimsical timelessness of Christmas are perfectly balanced here. It could stand alone for both seasons, but manages to stand for them both. This is a huge accomplishment.
The films flawless atmosphere comes from it's excellent musical score, perhaps Elfman's very best, and it's outstanding stop motion animation. Laying down the foundations for stop-motion films to follow, the stunning colours, expression and imagery here are truly amazing and hold up well today, despite Henry Selick's own ambitious follow up stop-motion films. I must in particular praise the film's palette, a trait which is held by most of Selick's films.
The film's story is also classic. Simply told, but incredibly effective. This is largely due to the myriad of enjoyable musical sequences spread throughout the runtime, all of which contribute to the story and tell it's tale largely through the music itself. The story is also made stronger by the film's great cast of talent voice actors and singers, who work a fairly predictable story into narrative magic.
It almost feels like this film has always existed. It so perfectly encapsulates two seasons and is so classic in its imagery and storytelling, it is hard to imagine a world without Nightmare. A milestone in animation, musicals and holiday classics, and the perfect ambassador for the dreary month of November.
The reason this film is so highly lauded is how it merges to beloved times of the year together. Nightmare does this in ways which extend beyond the lavish aesthetic, the atmosphere of both seasons permeate the film throughout. The creepy joy of Halloween and the whimsical timelessness of Christmas are perfectly balanced here. It could stand alone for both seasons, but manages to stand for them both. This is a huge accomplishment.
The films flawless atmosphere comes from it's excellent musical score, perhaps Elfman's very best, and it's outstanding stop motion animation. Laying down the foundations for stop-motion films to follow, the stunning colours, expression and imagery here are truly amazing and hold up well today, despite Henry Selick's own ambitious follow up stop-motion films. I must in particular praise the film's palette, a trait which is held by most of Selick's films.
The film's story is also classic. Simply told, but incredibly effective. This is largely due to the myriad of enjoyable musical sequences spread throughout the runtime, all of which contribute to the story and tell it's tale largely through the music itself. The story is also made stronger by the film's great cast of talent voice actors and singers, who work a fairly predictable story into narrative magic.
It almost feels like this film has always existed. It so perfectly encapsulates two seasons and is so classic in its imagery and storytelling, it is hard to imagine a world without Nightmare. A milestone in animation, musicals and holiday classics, and the perfect ambassador for the dreary month of November.
Originally posted 10/11/14 on IMDB.com
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