Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Arthur Christmas (2011)

Director: Sarah Miles, Barry Cook

Time Out rating

Average user rating

6 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

This smart and very British 3D animation from the Aardman stable opens with one of life’s great questions: how does Santa visit so many homes so quickly? The answer, it seems, is a high-tech army of elves dispatched, SAS-style, from a silent spaceship disguised as a cluster of stars. But it never used to be like this, not before Santa’s eldest son, Steve (Hugh Laurie), modernised the operation. Nevertheless, one parcel slips through the net, so it’s left to Santa’s sensitive younger son, Arthur (James McAvoy), and the retired, grumpy Grandsanta (Bill Nighy) to deliver the package using reindeers and sleigh. All of which inspires a frenzied inter-continental dash and one too many padded-out mishaps. What makes this festive fantasy engaging is the savvy way in which it debunks cold efficiency in favour of more wholesome values. It’s just a pity Arthur himself is so bland.

Author: Derek Adams

Time Out London Issue 2151: 10 – 16 November, 2011

Email Tweet Share

User reviews of this film

Kwally said...

Posted on Jan 02 2012 17:17 I just watched this movie today and I think it is the best Christmas movie ever - and so does my Dad. It has some very funny parts, like when they are trying to deliver the last present on the old sleigh. My favourite character is Arthur and when it comes out on DVD I would really like to buy it. Enjoy!

Report as inappropriate
Twiz said...

Posted on Dec 04 2011 18:36 Why are cynical adults reviewing this film? My kids have asked me to post this 'ITS A GREAT KIDS MOVIE THEY LOVED IT, AND SO WILL MANY OTHER KIDS'

Report as inappropriate
enjoyable said...

Posted on Nov 26 2011 01:42 I wasn't convinced about this to begin with - some of the humour seemed to fall flat, and I also agree that the character of Arthur is bland - in fact I would have preferred it if there had been a bit more character development at the start. But I also agree that there's a lot to this to really enjoy, which I ended up doing! There was only four people at the screening I went to, including one kid, who seemed to love it, and hooted with laughter, which was a good sign. What was weird, though, was the number of big names who were in it, who I didn't recognise at all from the voices, and they must have had about three lines each! Overall, cute and enjoyable, I liked it and the kid seemed to love it.

Report as inappropriate
scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Nov 21 2011 22:33 Not sure santa hitting the sack despite missing a delivery sets things up that nicely, but enough here for an "enjoyable xmas fare" type recommendation, minus the expected Christmas "tingle" needed to rave. Saw in 2D....anyone endorse the 3D version? 7/10

Report as inappropriate
Ian said...

Posted on Nov 12 2011 19:51 Agreed Arthur is a bit bland but there is so much more to enjoy in this film. It works for both kids and adults with enough jokes and amusing asides for both. Anyone who works in a large company will get the jokes about being a small cog in big wheel. The IT crash and how things are so inflexible are particularly amusing.
All in all a really quite excellent film. Not fabulous but worth more than 3 stars. Go see it you won't be disappointed.

Report as inappropriate
malcolm said...

Posted on Nov 08 2011 22:04 hm

Report as inappropriate