Only 6 more days until Christmas people! I’m so excited!
Well I’m excited for two things really. . .
- Is that it’s almost Christmas (I mean who wouldn’t’ be).
- And secondly, is that I have this friend who’s coming to see me today – she’s ok maybe a bit annoying. . . Jokes, she’s the best.
So in light of the fact that I am excited for two things I thought this film review might be a little different . . . it also gives me the perfect excuse to not pick between the two of them and you can’t really complain at me because one is a short film and the other is a longer film, so really I’m doing you all a favour – particularly for those people who are now extremely busy with the build up to Christmas. The one short film is perfect to let you loosen up and have a quiet half hour or so. . .
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Title: The Snowman
Age: U
Released: 24th December 1982
Director: Dianne Jackson and Jimmy T. Murakami
Genre: Family, Fantasy
Rating: **** (4/5 stars)
About: After an English boy makes a snowman on Christmas Eve, it comes to life to take him on an adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.
Review: This film certainly has it’s uplifting moments.
And it’s the perfect short film (it’s only around 30 minutes long) for those people with a busy schedule. If you want a moment to yourself then this is the film for you.
I love the beginning of this film because David Bowie has a small role – not the main part of the film but still, it’s quite nice.
Then there’s the actual story. The young boy builds a snowman who comes alive and takes him to go see Father Christmas.
I loved the scene where they are ‘flying’ and the song ‘Walking in the Air‘ is playing over that scene. I actually quite like that song, even though I feel that most people don’t, but whatever.
There’s something quite charming about this film and I think that it’s a film that can be enjoyed by all.
The lack of dialogue makes this film so much more special as well (the only speaking part is done by Bowie). It’s all about the setting and the sights that are seen in this film. This is a brilliant ploy to play when the boy sees Father Christmas because it makes us realise just how amazing seeing him really is.
To sum it up, this is a perfect half hour of Christmas magic.
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Title: 
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Age: U
Released: 6th December 1964
Director: Larry Roemer and Kizo Nagashima
Genre: Family, Fantasy
Rating: *** (3/5 stars)
About: The classic story of a red-nosed reindeer named Rudolph told by Sam the Snowman, after Rudolph is ousted from the reindeer games because of his beaming honker, he teams up with Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, the prospector. They run into the Abominable Snowman and find a whole island of misfit toys. Rudolph vows to see if he can get Santa to help the toys, and he goes back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. But Santa’s sleigh is fogged-in and that’s when Santa decides to use Rudolph’s very special nose to save Christmas!
Review: So I included this film alongside The Snowman, because both are quiet short (ish) films, this one is less than an hour long and I feel that this is a timeless Christmas film that many enjoy.
I do have to admit though, that I did find this film a little hard to get in to.
I can understand why people love it, because it’s about being accepted by others (and accepting yourself) by the end of the day – more importantly that you shouldn’t judge people just because they are different.
I do have a couple of complaints though.
The first is that, even Father Christmas judges Rudolph as being different and it isn’t until he realises Rudolph’s true potential that he’s like oh wow this is amazing. But you know, in real life I know Father Christmas wouldn’t be that judgemental.
The second complaint I have is that film is kind of sexist? I know it’s from 1964 so nowadays I think they would change it, but like there are two examples that come to mind – the first is that the male reindeer tells his wife to stay home when she wants to look for Rudolph because it’s a man’s job (um no? But luckily the wife goes out anyway so thats good). The second example is when the man and snow monster goes over the cliff and dies. The narrator is like they were sad but they realised that the best thing to do was take the woman home . . . I’m sorry what? Someone has just died but you’re like oh it’s ok? Bit strange really.
Anyway, I would still say you should watch this film because a lot of people do really seem to like it.
I get the impression though that people either love it or hate it, so the decision is up to you really.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy both (or just one at least) of these short films.
Have a great day guys.
CastlesandTurrets 