Nightmare Before Christmas
Fans of Tim Burton may be surprised to learn that he didn't actually direct this history-making film. It was his concept and story, but Harry Selick was the man behind the direction. As the first full-length stop-motion animation film, "Nightmare Before Christmas" sets a remarkable precedent and a high bar of quality for similar films.
Skeleton Jack is the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, a place dedicated to gore and fright and to creating one perfect holiday each year. Normally Jack is satisfied by planning and executing Halloween year after year, living among the other residents, and playing with his ghost dog, Zero. All at once, after a particularly successful All Hallows Eve, Jack is filled with discontent. Although the holiday was a smash Jack can't help but feel like there has to be more to life than Halloween. After a long wandering night Jack looks up and realizes that he doesn't know where he is.
He accidentally opens a door and falls into Christmastown. The colorful twinkle of lights, smells of baked goods, and the cold wonder of snow overload Jack's senses and provide the thrill and change he'd been longing for. Naturally, instead of just enjoying himself in the moment, he decides to inspire the residents of Halloweentown to take over Christmas. He figures that if he's bored with his holiday Sandy Claws (Santa Claus) is probably equally disinterested in his own. After all the arrangements have been made Salle the rag doll creates a fog to prevent Jack from leaving. She thinks his plan is doomed because of a vision predicting a terrible accident. It's a true Christmas miracle when Zero's light-up pumpkin nose is used to guide Jack's sleigh through the fog (much like Rudolph).
After ruining Christmas and being shot out of the sky by anti-aircraft guns Jack has to set things right by freeing Santa from the mischievous Oogie-Boogie. The film is an astounding combination of comedy, music, gore and fun. The stop-motion is an added draw because it stands out against traditional Disney animation or CG. Anyone who liked The Corpse Bride will be blown away by its predecessor.