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Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas

     Is The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie?  The answer is that it’s both a Halloween and Christmas movie. In fact, The Nightmare Before Christmas is the perfect movie for both occasions. Director Henry Selick and Tim Burton, who produced and wrote the story created a fantastic film that people of all ages can enjoy.
     The plot of the film involves Jack Skellington (Voiced by Chris Sarandon/Singing voice by Danny Elfman), the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town becoming bored by doing the same thing every Halloween despite the fact he is very successful at it. One day, Jack stumbles upon Christmas Town and grows so enamored with the Christmas holiday that he decides to hold a Christmas celebration of his own. Jack recruits the citizens of Halloween Town to help him fulfill this desire. However, the ghost, ghouls, and monsters’ efforts to put on a great Christmas celebration fail in a hilarious fashion. The only person in Halloween Town that doubts Jack’s plan is Sally (Catherine O’Hara), who is a living rag doll that was created by the evil Dr. Finkelstein, whom she desperately attempts to escape from. While Jack Skellington may be the main character, it is Sally who is the hero of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
     The stop-motion in The Nightmare Before Christmas is still spectacular twenty-five years later. It took three years for the animators to make this movie. For one second of film, twelve stop-motion moves were required to be made. The mixture of both the fearsome and dark scenery of Halloween Town and the colorful and jolly scenery of Christmas Town is a major factor in why this film is so visually unique. The filmmakers were able to create a world completely different from our own.
     The real star of The Nightmare Before Christmas, is Danny Elfman’s magnificent soundtrack. The musical numbers in the film not only entertain the audience, but carry the plot forward. Danny Elfman should’ve received an Oscar Nomination for Best Film Score for his work on this film.
     The Nightmare Before Christmas is phenomenal movie for the holiday season and perfect movie for the family. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it.

Overall Rating: ****1/2
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