Genre: Animation
Director: Henry Selick
Starring: Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page
RunTime: 1 hr 16 mins
Released By: GV & BVI
Rating: PG

Opening Day: 23 November 2006 (Experience it exclusively at GV VivoCity)

Soundtrack: READ OUR REVIEW ON THE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Synopsis:

Presented for the first time ever in Disney Digital 3D™, Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” 3D combines the Oscar® nominated artistry of stop-motion animation with brand new state-of-the-art digital technology to create a unique and entertaining movie-going experience that is sure to become a modern holiday tradition.

Previously released in the cinemas in 1993, the dazzling new makeover of the musical-fantasy was led by the film’s original filmmaking team of Academy Award® nominated writer/producer Tim Burton (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Corpse Bride”) and director Henry Selick (“James and the Giant Peach”) as well as the talented technical wizards at Industrial Light + Magic.

Audiences will get closer than ever to Halloween town’s beloved Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington (voiced by CHRIS SARANDON), as he attempts to take over the Christmas holiday. Against the advice of Sally (voiced by CATHERINE O’HARA), a lonely rag doll who has feelings for him, Jack enlists three mischievous trick-or-treaters – Lock, Shock, and Barrel – to help him kidnap Santa Claus. Jack eventually realizes his mistake but has to contend with the evil Oogie Boogie before he can make things right and restore the Christmas holiday. Fueled by an unforgettable Grammy® nominated soundtrack featuring ten ghoulishly delightful songs by Oscar® nominee Danny Elfman (“Corpse Bride,” “Big Fish”) who also provided the singing voice for Jack.

Movie Review:


This is probably the only time we’d advise you to watch a movie in a theatre filled with kids. We don’t believe we are saying this, but yes, for this movie to be immensely enjoyable, you’d want many kids around you.

The more, the merrier.

You see, in this re-release of the 1993 cult classic produced by Tim Burton, a certain technological giant called Industrial Light and Magic has used sophisticated computer technology to create a 3D version of the film.

Here in Singapore, viewers can visit the digital 3D cinema hall in Golden Village VivoCity to experience the technological visual spectacular. And it is truly one magical experience that will appeal to the kid in you.

You’d need to put on special 3D glasses to watch this movie. While we would definitely not want to be caught by the fashion police wearing those glasses in public, we were still thrilled upon knowing that we get to keep them after the movie.

The moment you put on those 3D glasses as told by the instructions flashed across the screen, you can feel the escalating excitement and anticipation if you were in a kid-filled theatre like this reviewer. Screams and giggles of joy and thrill from those little brats never sounded more fun.

If you grew up in the 1980s, you may remember going to the theatres to watch this tale about the ghoulish Halloween crossing paths with the cheery Christmas.

In a very storybook-like setting, the ruler of Halloweentown (a very straightforward name for a town) Jack Skellington chances upon Christmastown (another very straightforward name for a town). Feeling the need to do something different for a change, he decides to kidnap dear old Santa Claus and take Christmas into his own hands. The results are, of course, hilariously disastrous.

The plot may sound childish and amuse only those below 20 years old, but it is storylines like that gets our vote for being grounded to true blue old-school story-telling.

Coupled with some visually stunning stop-motion animation that make you feel like you are in the movie, the fascinating 76-minute feature should appeal to a wide demographic and take flight easily. After all, this is the first full-length stop-motion movie musical that earned itself an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects in the 1994 Academy Awards.

It is unfortunate that director Henry Selick did not get much attention for helming this movie after it was released 13 years ago. It was his producer-cum-writer Burton who got credit for creating a signature “Burton-sque” style that was probably influenced by his previous works Beetle Juice (1988), Batman (1989) and Edward Scissorshands (1990). Burton’s fans can effortlessly point out several references to his movies in this animated feature.

Also, we have a delightful soundtrack courtesy of Burton’s long time collaborator Danny Elfman which boasts of some impressive orchestrations and wacky lyrics.

The younger audience may not be fully appreciative of the different aspects that make up this cult classic which has spawned various followings in fashion, apparel and collectibles. But they are the very essence why this movie works, as their high spirits while watching the movie are the final elements to making this cinema experience complete.

Movie Rating:

(Whether or not you have watched this festive cult classic before, do not miss this chance to catch it in its full 3D glory)

Review by John Li