What’s this? What’s this?

A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) may be one of the most unique holiday films ever produced. I say this because it doubles as both a festive Christmas film and a ghoulish delight for Halloween all while incorporating a brilliant and original storyline.

I love the idea that each holiday has it’s own magical far off land where the holiday (and everything associated with it) lives. We follow Jack the Pumpkin King (leader of the Halloween world) as he lets his curiosity get the best of him and steps into the world of Christmas. After being mystified by the holiday, Jack attempts to bring Christmas back to his home of Halloween. It is so much fun to see him try to explain Christmas to the ghosts, skeletons and vampires of the Halloween world and watch them attempt to pull off their own Christmas celebration.

Contrary to common belief this film was not directed by Tim Burton, but by Henry Selick (James and the Giant Peach, Caroline). Burton is credited as the writer and producer of the picture, which is why the film’s official title is “Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas” (and the reason why many believe he directed it). Burton had originally intended to direct the film but placed Selick at the helm because Burton was just too busy with Batman Returns (1992). That is pretty funny to me because this is much more of a memorable film than lame ass Batman Returns with Michael Keaton.

I think we can all agree that the songs in this film kick ass. The music was an original composition by Danny Elfman (Composer of The Simpson’s theme song). In my opinion these are some of the best songs ever written for a film.

The idea for the film was originally drafted from a poem that Burton had written. He was inspired after being in a department store a few days after Halloween. He noticed the store workers taking down the Halloween decorations and replacing them with decorations for Christmas. The juxtaposition of ghosts and goblins with Santa and his elves sparked his imagination.

This film utilizes the stop motion animation technique that I wrote about in the Christmas Misfits piece last week. This technique adds a real special element to this film, a surreal tone that fits perfectly. Believe it or not A Nightmare Before Christmas was the first ever fully animated feature film using stop motion animation. The animators for the film received an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects as a result but ultimately lost to Industrial Light and Magic (Special Effects for Star Wars, Indiana Jones) for their creation of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park (1994).

I don’t think I have ever met anyone who didn’t like this film; I mean how could you not? Unless you’re not a fan of an original idea, great production value, great voice over work, a great script, sweet music, cutting edge filmmaking, magic, fantasy, Halloween/Christmas and fun.

So make sure to get your viewing of this film in for the season. If you missed it for Halloween, now’s your chance for Christmas.

What’s This? Jack discovers Christmas.


Making Christmas in the world of Halloween


Trah Bonus Classicness
Did you know that at Disney World during the month of October completely changes The Haunted Mansion ride into a ride that revolves around A Nightmare Before Christmas? It’s pretty sweet. Check out this video some like-minded fan took for all of us to enjoy.