CHRISTMAS!
Yes it’s that time of the month again where we buy things we give and spend time with out families. Why top 12? Because of the 12 days of Christmas duh, and I wanted to talk about 2 extra Christmas specials that are good.
12. The Loud House: 11 Louds a Leapin: The most recent one on the list. The whole grump is alone on Christmas story isn’t new but it’s done well here. Each of the Loud sisters deals with something that has to do with Christmas. Luna’s song are heartwarming and who could forget the reveal of Mr. and Mrs. Loud’s faces?
11. Codename: Kids Next Door: Operation: N.A.U.G.H.T.Y: This whole Christmas special is a parody of X-men. The 12 days of Christmas attack is hilarious. I doubt kids would get the Partridge in a pear tree joke. The way Santa delivers presents might be the most creative way I’ve ever seen.
10. Billy and Mandy Save Christmas: Still a better vampire story then Twilight. The head head (it makes sense in context) vampire is clever. Who would cast Gilbert Gottfried as Santa? That’ll stick in your mind forever. This specials mixes the creepiness of Billy and Mandy with the holiday spirit.
9. Kung Fu Panda Holiday: The suicidal bunny gets a lot of laughs. The party preparation scene is hilarious because the transitions mess with Po. One moment he’s sculpting a ice dragon one second later he brakes a jar with the same ice sculpting tool. The special has that obvious lesson of spending Christmas with family and friends and it handles it nicely.
8. Shrek the Halls: My family cracks up when they see Puss in Boots messing with the Santa hat. It’s heartwarming to see Shrek try to make a good Christmas for his children. His telling of Twas the Night before Christmas is funny. Fun fact the director of this directed Beauty and the Beast.
7. Frosty the Snowman: I actually really like the Rankin Bass specials though mostly the big three. I remember watching these as a kid. The animation at times is weird but Jackie Vernon brings a lot of likability into Frosty. He’s oblivious to real life but still enjoyable. I also find Frosty Returns as a guilty pleasure.
6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Oh look another Rankin Bass special. I don’t care if Honest Trailers calls this Lord of the Rings for kids on acid! Yes the animation is nothing compared to Aardman or Laika but the story and characters are still likable.
5. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town: My favorite of the Rankin Bass specials. Whenever I thought of Santa Clause’s backstory when I was a kid this is what I thought of. Some of the songs are cute and Mickey Rhooney as Kris is charming. I think this is the first I ever saw Santa without a beard.
4. Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too: Winnie the Pooh is part of my childhood. It’s a sweet Christmas specials. You feel for Pooh when he’s trying to deliver the letter to Santa and you feel sorry when he loses it. I’m still wondering what the heck is Piglet’s present suppose to be.
3. Mickey’s Christmas Carol: When ever I hear A Christmas Carol the Disney one is the first to come to mind. This is also the first version of A Christmas Carol I’ve seen. The first time seeing Jiminy Cricket as the ghost of Christmas Past was mind blowing as a kid. The special actually reuses other Disney characters from the past. It follows the story of A Christmas Carol perfectly and just in 30 minutes.
2. A Charlie Brown Christmas: This one might be the most talkative of the specials on this list. What I mean is that it’s mostly talking about Christmas being too commercial or about the Christmas pageant. While the animation does look cheap and the child stars are a little wooden it’s still has the charm of the Peanuts. Vince Guaraldi’s music beings so much beauty and atmosphere to a simple special.
1. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas: What can I say? Its the perfect Christmas special. I didn’t read the book but I have watched this special so many times it’s still great. The animation is great at the time. The song is catchy. Boris Karloff as the Grinch and narrator is great too. I actually do like the movie though not as much as this masterpiece.
Hope you all have a merry Christmas this year.
JacobsonCinema 