Arthur Christmas in "Arthur Christmas"; photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

“Arthur Christmas” (Sony Pictures) 

“Arthur Christmas” is a family film from Sony Pictures and Aardman Animation. This is the same kind of animation which was used in the very successful “Chicken Run.” This time out it is just as fascinating and adds to the quality of the film. The animation plus the star powered voices used are the two reasons the film is as enjoyable as it is. The drawback is the overextended plot.

Arthur Christmas (voiced by James McAvoy) is the younger son of Santa Claus (Jim Broadbent) and his wife (Imelda Staunton). The Claus family also has an older son named Steve (Hugh Laurie). Steve is the apparent heir to the job of Santa Claus as he is the one who has brought Santa into the modern era. Now instead of a sled, Santa uses a huge spaceship and an army of elves who deliver all of the presents. Santa has become just the face of Christmas and he is fine with that.

After a Christmas delivery of presents that was determined a great success, it is discovered that one little girl in Cornwall, England did not get her Christmas bicycle. Steve is unconcerned as it is only one little girl out of millions, but Arthur thinks she has to get her gift before the sun rises. He, grandpa Santa (Bill Nighy) and an elf named Bryony (Ashley Jensen) take off in the old sleigh pulled by reindeer. They are determined to make the delivery before the sun comes up.

Arthur is certainly a delightful character, full of caring and love for children all over the world. He is in awe of his brother Steve who has managed to turn the business of Christmas into a smooth running machine. The problem with Steve though is that to him Christmas is just a job. Santa also has a problem in that he is so caught up in the glory of being Santa he has forgotten what being Santa truly means or is supposed to mean.

There is a lot of good in “Arthur Christmas” but the pacing of the film is off. It takes too long for the objectives of the film to be met and young viewers will probably be restless before the movie ends.

The film is rated PG for rude humor.

“Arthur Christmas” is an okay Christmas movie but it isn’t one of the best. Your kids might enjoy it and then again they may not.

I scored “Arthur Christmas” a sincere 6 out of 10.