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Canberra Today 25°/29° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Review: Arthur Christmas (G) ? ? ?

THIS kidzfilm for every age comes from Aardman Films, that exemplary British claymation house that gave us Wallace and Gromit.

In the 21st century, Santa Inc. has embraced modern technology. The reindeer have been retired to pasture. A gigantic call centre/warehouse packs and despatches kids’ wish-lists for delivery by jet-propelled sleigh.

The current Santa is due to make his last run before retirement. His technocrat elder son Steve expects to succeed him as CEO. His younger son Arthur works as a kind of office boy, facing a future such as awaits second sons in a family business.

From Cornwall, a little girl’s letter asking Santa for a bicycle has been delivered late.  The system is not geared to cope with such aberrations. But Arthur, imbued with the spirit and ethos of Santa Inc., is insisting that the firm honour its obligation.

Santa decides to take a nap on Christmas eve. So GrandSanta brings out his beloved old sleigh, harnesses the reindeer and, accompanied by Arthur and Peter, the elf in charge of wrapping, sets forth to make the special delivery.

I doubt that any other animation house could have made a Christmas movie with such charm and imagination. The team of voicers is impressive, including James McAvoy as Arthur, Jim Broadbent as Santa, Bill Nighy as GrandSanta and Hugh Laurie as Steve.

At all cinemas

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Dougal Macdonald

Dougal Macdonald

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