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The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D * * * * * |
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Written by Ivan Radford
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Friday, 14 December 2007 00:00 |
 Director: Henry Selick
Cast: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara
Certificate: PG
Would you let Tim Burton read a bedtime story to your kids? On the basis of this? Hell yes. Initially released in 1993, The Nightmare before Christmas was a triumphant and unique project - the first stop-motion feature to be released. 14 years down the line, and it returns to grace our screens with a glorious third dimension - a lot easier on the eye than Ray Winstone in the buff.
The story charts the exploits of the charming residents of Halloweentown. Led by Jack Skellington (Sarandon), they specialise in terrorising the world each October. But the pumpkin king longs for something new. Stumbling upon Christmastown, he enthusiastically sets about appropriating the holiday with his own brand of ghoulish happiness. Despite the efforts of patchwork Sally (O’Hara), things soon go horribly wrong.
A brilliant mix of the warped and sentimental, this plays out in a similar vein to Terry Pratchett's later-released Hogfather and most other Burton films. The animation, though, sets this apart as a masterpiece, with Danny Elfman’s score bringing everything to life with twisted tunes galore; whether it’s kids planning to Kidnap Sandy Claws or Jack wondering 'What’s This?', the playful lyrics entertain children and adults alike – especially the jazzy Oogie Boogie Song at the film’s close.
See the recent Corpse Bride, and it’s clear that something is lacking. Re-watch this and you’ll find it everywhere in abundance. Fleshed out into an extra dimension, the 3-D visuals knock the film up another notch. The armatures look so solid that it all feels closer to the theatre than the cinema; every time Jack leans towards the audience, the puppet’s menacing presence fills the room. It's hardly terrifying, but Tim’s tale is terrific.
VERDICT
The Nightmare before Christmas is, as always, a joy to behold. An unnervingly enchanting animation, this is quite simply a work of genius.
Click here to see 3-D stereo photos taken by one of the film's animators.
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