I don't know about you, but I love a good Christmas film me. Still to this day, even when it comes to more childish and innocent films which some (*cough* non-believers!) might say I'm too old for; if it's done well, I feel a Christmas film can be the great cinematic equalizer for people of all ages. This week, as its main film, Sky Movies Premiere has brought Arthur Christmas to my attention, and I loved it. For some years now, I have felt there has been a bit of a gap between "the classics" in terms of festive films (ranging from anywhere between It's A Wonderful Life, various Christmas Carols, and films like the Grinch and Santa Clause) and more modern films where you know there will be generations to come digging them out for decades. There have been a couple don't get me wrong, the early noughties gave us things like Love Actually and The Holiday; lovely films I think. But in the last two or three years, I feel films like this have been lacking. Now however, I see that there is at least one new one to come blistering into the ranks.
Arthur Christmas is a brilliant watch from start to finish. The animation is charming and crisp, yet has airs of the traditional, the score (written by legend Harry Gregson-Williams) is superb, and the story is a marvel. It answers and revamps some classic elements to the Santa story, quickly setting up the idea of the business of toy-delivering as now a modern, slick, speedy and technological affair, with dazzling effects and images to delight. What's more, it adds a clever and wonderful twist to the Santa canon - generations of the Claus family who hand the hat and red coat from father to son.
Consequentially, we see in the marvelous cast, the latest in a generation of Santas, which already makes for a great story. As well as a greatly executed story, and all other aspects mentioned above, I do feel that the stellar cast is a big part of why Arthur Christmas is so wonderful. So, reverse chronologically I think, let's meet the Claus family!
The film's lead character; Arthur Christmas/Claus himself, is voiced by James McAvoy. Arthur is the impressionable youngest son of the current Santa. He is earnest and passionately devoted to all things Christmas, which without wishing to invoke spoilers, is one of the main driving forces of the story. Though slightly clumsy and seemingly naive, his loyalty and determination are truly touching and admirable, making him very watchable. James McAvoy does a sterling job voicing him; there are many moments and lines which could come off as over the top and corny, yet he enables the purity, comedy and like-ability of Arthur to shine through.
Arthur's older brother, the affable, ambitious, modern, slick and stylish Steve, is naturally voiced by Hugh Laurie. Again there are many moments for this character that could venture into the cliche, but the writing and Laurie's voice make Steve just right. He is the closest we get to a villain, but at no point do we see him as evil, just a character of opposing force to Arthur. Trust me when I say - Hugh Laurie's voice is perfect for Steve.
One generation up and we have Malcolm, a.k.a the current Santa. This like-able, slightly dithering but essentially incompetent man at the top is voiced by the legendary Jim Broadbent. Though being Santa, in theory the top man of the North Pole, Broadbent's character does seem to get swept up in all the action, often staring wide-eyed as other characters crack on. But he does it brilliantly. Yet another case where Jim Broadbent's fantastic voice is integral to Malcolm. Standing by his side is the equally legendary and talented Margaret Claus, voiced by the incomparable Imelda Staunton. Despite sometimes having to stand back with her husband, Margaret brings the real sense of family and unflinching love to this rather dis-functional but incredible Claus family.
The eldest generation portrayed is Grand-Santa; Malcom's father, Arthur and Steve's grandfather; cranky and cantankerous at times, but with a good heart, and still aching to prove he can still cut it as Santa in an all new world. He is voiced by the wonderful Bill Nighy. If I had to pick a stand-out performance, this would be it. Again, not only is the animation of Grand-Santa incredible, but almost every word out of his mouth is ridiculously hilarious. Seriously, you should watch this film just for Bill Nighy's Grand-Santa if nothing else. Not only that, but through voice and animation both, Grand-Santa oddly came off to me as the most warming and festive character. I think it's because he seems to be the most pure and unabashed. A simple old man in a modern world. But we never forget that this simple old man, like all the other men of his family, is Santa Claus.
So yes, we get a cracking cast of Clauses in Arthur Christmas, as well as a wonderful set of fellow cast-members too. The lovely Ashley Jensen plays the lovely elf Bryony, who leads an elf cast that is remarkable all on it's own; including names like Jane Horrocks, Andy Serkis, Joan Cusack, Robbie Coltrane and Michael Palin. We even get a turn from Eva Longoria and Laura Linney.
I really do feel, that for a whole host of reasons, Arthur Christmas is a wonderfully watchable film, and I have no doubt that it will go on to become a Christmas classic.
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