Arthur Christmas

[Celini]

awwww that looks so sweet!

[kevinknapman]

Well I had a very festive time this morning. The Empire's foyer was full of Christmas decorations, carol singers and the chance to get a photo taken with Santa (I presume it was with Santa, I moved through the foyer quite quickly myself to tell).
The film was initially introduced by a Sony Pictures rep (apparently we were the first people to see the film anywhere) then properly introduced by director Sarah Smith. We were told the film was slightly incomplete, some sound and music hadn't been finished but you couldn't really tell. The only noticable thing missing was the end credits and an end credits sequence which we were given an idea of with text on screen explaining what will be seen when it's finished. This was also presumably why we saw the 2D version so I can't comment on the 3D.

As for what we did see, I can say that Aardman have yet another wonderful animation hit on their hands. An endearing story full of loveable characters, Arthur Christmas is beautifully animated and very very funny. The script by Peter Baynham and Smith is witty and amusing with a couple of gags for the older audience members but not at the expense of the younger viewers. I expect it's a film worth seeing more than once as there's a great deal of visual gags and impressive detail. There's some excellent action too but it's also very sweet. The opening sequence (which plays like a Mission Impossible spy mission, showing how the presents are delivered) is exciting and fast moving. Some wonderful stuff too with Grandsanta's old sleigh Evie, including a trip through the Aurora Borealis.

The voice cast is fantastic. James McAvoy is a likeable bumbling hero and Jim Broadbent an excellent Santa. Good support too from Hugh Laurie as Santa's other son Steve, Imelda Staunton as Mrs Christmas, Ashley Jensen as an elf called Bryony and Outnumbered's Ramona Marquez as the little girl whose undelivered present kicks off the story. The entire film is completely stolen however by Bill Nighy's Grandsanta who is responsible for most of the film's biggest laughs.

Arthur Christmas is a very entertaining film and one that could well become a future Xmas classic. Hopefully both Sony and Aardman have a huge hit on their hands though I do question the decision to release the film so early. I look forward to seeing it again so I can see the promising end credits sequence.

[SocialFlutterBy]

wow KK i'm so jealous right now i am in a minority who love festive movie's and now i cant wait to see it, i'm so excited i don't even care if i have to p*y

[Rainey]

wow KK i'm so jealous right now i am in a minority who love festive movie's and now i cant wait to see it, i'm so excited i don't even care if i have to p*y

Me too! Really looking forward to seeing this one.

[McG]

Sounds like what I could do with watching tonght! (Had a difficult few days!)

[Diane65]

I too love Christmas films and I hope that things get better for you MGellatly.

[a_person]

Great find sh!

[superhero]

What are the chances of them offering a free screening for people with the first name Arthur?
Better start finding some Arthur friends soon! haha

[a_person]

If that is the case, do you think tilly will let me borrow her daughter who I can say is called "Arthura."

[canadian_turtle]

If they do that you reckon it'll count if I get a pet and name it Arthur? *really wants to see this movie*