Wonderland’s Queen Steals Christmas Cheer

Read Time:3 Minute, 50 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland
TV-Y –

Genre: Holiday, Animation, Musical
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 20m
Director(s): Peter Baynton
Writer(s): Sara Daddy
Cast: Emilia Clarke, Gerard Butler, Simone Ashley, Asim Chaudhry, Mawaan Rizwan, Simon Day, Tom Allen, Lenny Rush
Where To Watch: available now on Hulu and Prime Video

RAVING REVIEW: In an inventive mash-up that sees Santa Claus venturing through the fantastical landscapes of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland, THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN WONDERLAND proves to be an intriguing fusion of two beloved worlds. Directed by Peter Baynton and penned by Sara Daddy, this animated journey stretches a simple children’s story into a feature-length escapade filled with charm and complexity.

From the get-go, Gerard Butler breathes life into the character of Santa Claus, portraying him with a gruff charm that defies the typical jovial red-suited image. Santa’s adventure kicks off with an urgent plea from the Princess of Hearts, thrusting him into the vibrant chaos of Wonderland. Here, he meets a cast of eccentric characters, including the humorously tyrannical Queen of Hearts, brought to life with a zestful menace by Emilia Clarke.

The animation in THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN WONDERLAND is a true standout, turning each scene into a page from a storybook. Inspired by Kate Hindley’s distinctive artwork, the illustrative style allows Wonderland to emerge as a vibrant protagonist in its own right. This visual approach serves to amplify the narrative’s whimsical undertones and the fantastical elements that abound.

Complementing the spectacle is a soundtrack that captures the essence of this enchanted world. Composed by Guy Chambers and Amy Wadge, the score mixes playful tunes and lyrics that add a musical key to the unfolding fairy tale. However, not all musical numbers hit the mark—some seem to merely extend the runtime without driving the plot forward, resulting in a few pacing issues that feel more like an intermission than a progression.

The script incorporates meta-humor, allowing characters to acknowledge the absurdity of their predicaments and injecting fun into the narrative. This self-aware comedy is most apparent during exchanges with the Queen of Hearts, whose over-the-top antics and disdain for Christmas inject humor into her scenes. Yet, despite these engaging elements, the film occasionally suffers from a stretched storyline, especially noticeable in a subplot involving a reindeer's side quest that disrupts the main storyline’s rhythm.

As the film approaches its climax, it attempts to delve deeper into the Queen of Hearts' backstory, aiming to add emotional depth to her transformation. Unfortunately, this segment unfolds predictably and needs the inventive flair that energizes the earlier scenes, leading to a resolution that, while neat, feels somewhat underwhelming and hastily concluded.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN WONDERLAND excels in blending the festive spirit of Christmas with the imaginative quirks of Wonderland, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative that stands out in the realm of holiday films. The animation and voice performances do a commendable job of grounding even the most unbelievable moments within this whimsically reimagined universe.

Offering a unique spin on classic holiday storytelling, the film stands out as an innovative and festive offering that will entertain both families and enthusiasts of Carroll’s narratives. While it might not redefine the animated holiday genre, it leaves a distinctive mark with its creative storytelling and vibrant execution, celebrating the spirit of adventure and the joy of the unexpected.

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[photo courtesy of HULU, PRIME VIDEO]

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