Arthur Christmas Review

Arthur Christmas is out on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD on 19th November from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  It is a fabulous feel good festive family film, voiced by an all star cast, filled with warmth, humour and answers to the age old questions about how Santa does it all in one night!

We have had a sneaky peek at Arthur Christmas on Blu-Ray, which is an Aardman Animation CGI production.

So how can Santa deliver millions of presents to the whole world in just one night? The answer is with an army of one million combat-style Field Elves and a vast, state-of-the-art control center under the ice of the North Pole under the control of Santa's son Steve! However, one Christmas something goes wrong and in spite of this incredible operation they accidentally  MISS one child?! 

To Santa’s young son, Arthur, the forgotten present threatens to end the magic of Christmas. With retired Grandsanta, a rebellious young elf from the Wrapping Department, and an old sleigh, Arthur sets out in a crazy mission to deliver the last present and save Christmas!

We thought this film was great.  The comedy element is brilliant, the vocal talents work incredibly well, the animation is quirky, the storyline is original and creative and the message that every child matters is heartwarming. We loved the dynasty of Santas and the family dynamic which drives the plot.  The film delivers the perfect dose of comedy and sentiment and is definitely one of my favourite Christmas movies of recent years.  The children agree.  Kizzy aged 10 said it was "really funny and cute and Arthur is so lovely".  Freddy who is 3 was spellbound and giggled at the visual humour.  Sixteen year old Ella also loved it.  It's definitely one for all the family to watch together.

The DVD and Blu-Ray include a host of special features and also come with a UV copy of the film.

Release date: November 19th 2012
Running time: 93/97 minutes
Certificate U

While you are waiting for the film to be released you can get into the Christmas spirit by printing out the activity sheet below to help design a Christmas jumper for Arthur!

Arthur Christmas is out on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD on 19th November from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

© 2011 Sony Pictures Animation Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Warner Bros Festive Family Films

I was delighted to get a surprise delivery from Warner Brothers.  A beautiful gingham lined Hessian sack arrived addressed to 'Wendy and Family'.

Inside was an amazing selection of family films, perfect for the festive season.  We love snuggling up to watch a film together with a bowl of popcorn.  Thanks to Warner Brothers we now have some real classics to watch together.

The Films we received were:

Polar Express (Blu-Ray)

Happy Feet (Blu-Ray)

Yogi Bear (Blu-Ray)

Scooby Doo and the Curse of the Lake Monster (Blu-Ray)

The Grinch

Ben 10

Yogi Bear's First Christmas

Scooby Doo Mystery Machine Box Set

The beautiful sack and the thrilling selection of films were met with whoops of joy from the children and my husband Ian was a little over excited by the Mystery Machine DVD box set.  Scooby Doo is a firm favourite of ours, a reminder of our youth.  I think this limited collector's edition complete with eight discs has made his Christmas!

It is Polar Express that really sums up Christmas for a lot of people who love the magical story, beautiful animation and powerful message about the wonder of  Christmas!

This year the ultimate feel good festive film is available to buy on 3D for those lucky enough to have a 3D TV and  3D Blu-Ray player.  The action will be brought to life with stunning picture and sound quality.  We received it on Blu-Ray and the high definition imagery is simply breath taking. 

The story of the boy who doubts the existence of Santa, is perfect for young and old alike.  It is my parents favourite Christmas film and one that we watch year after year.  The extraordinary steam train journey to the North Pole up and down mountains, across a frozen lake and across teetering bridges is full of  excitement.  Tom Hanks is captured exquisitely as the animated conductor.  "Seeing is believing!" and you'll see wonders and you'll believe!

The film is a bit dark in parts, but if you truly believe in the magic of Christmas you will love this film.  Especially in fabulous high definition or 3D!

So, I consider myself very lucky to have such a great collection of films to enjoy thanks the the fabulous folk at Warner Bros!  Thank you to them and happy festive viewing to one and all!

Classic Festive Family Films

We love to snuggle up with a bowl of popcorn and a festive film.  It is a family Christmas tradition!  

I'm always on the lookout for new films that will appeal to 2 year old Freddy as well as the older kids, so we can watch together.  

I have been sent a range of DVDs that really fit the bill.

Emmett the Otter's Jug Band Christmas, How the Toys Saved Christmas and  the Paul McCartney Music and Animation Collection are all classic Christmas movies.

Emmett the Otter's Jug Band Christmas is a Jim Henson film telling the story of  a poor otter family who risk everything to try to win a cash prize in a talent contest to get some money for Christmas.  Emmett forms a jug band to try to win the $50 prize but the Riverbottom Gang pose some tough (and funky) competition. But they soon learn that there are more important things than winning.  Like family!  The songs are fun in this musical treat and the performing critters delighted my kids.  It's a real Henson gem and bound to become a festive favourite in my house!

How The Toys Saved Christmas follows what happens when Granny Rose, Santa's helper, falls ill.  She recruits Mr Grimm to deliver the toys.  He has an evil plan to sell the toys to children who can afford them.  The toys flee to try to take matters into their own hands and find their true homes with the children in time for Christmas.  The toys' adventure is memorable and the toy characters themselves are very appealing.  Films like this are the forerunners of Toy Story.  It is a lovely film with lovely moments where the toys have to be brave to deliver themselves.  The crayons are cute little characters!  A real sweet movie for little ones.

Paul McCartney The Music and Animation Collection has three classics to enjoy.  Tropic Island Hum, Tuesday and Rupert and the Frog Chorus.  Most of us remember the Frog Chorus featuring Rupert Bear and it is nice to share it with the children and sing "We all stand together!"  I had never heard of the other two projects before.  Tuesday is a magical, musical story of some bored frogs whose lily pads fly into town so they can have some fun.  Dustin Hoffman voices a part it. Tropic Island Hum really appealed to us being vegetarian.  It is the story of an island where animals are free from hunters and abuse.  It was made with Paul's wife Linda, who was a real advocate for animal protection.  Wirral the Liverpudlian Squirrel is at the centre of the story when he is rescued from hunters by a frog in a hot air balloon and taken to the island.  It is done in old school, hand drawn animation and the kids did question the quality of it.  But I think it is nice for them to appreciate the quality of Pixar against cartoons made just 15 years ago.  This is a piece of animation history.

I have really enjoyed watching some old, traditional festive films with my children.  Introducing them to the animation of McCartney and a Jim Henson classic has really expanded their cultural education!  Emmett the Otter was our favourite...a real timeless movie, although as I love the Muppets I am a bit biased towards it!   This year, why don't you introduce your children to some real Christmas classics!