The festive season kicks off with a bang thanks to Aardman Studios' (famous for Wallace and Gromit) second noteworthy foray into computer animation (the ho-hum Flushed Away being their debut). Only the most stone-hearted Grinch won't be moved by Arthur's jolly ol' premise that not even one child should go without experiencing the joys of Santa Claus visiting on Christmas night. The moral message may be gooier than the centre of a toasted marshmallow, but the gag rate is high, the animation is perfect and the voice cast of James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie and Imelda Staunton are splendid. Mix in a plethora of hidden jokes for the adults and you couldn't ask for a nicer movie to get the whole family into the Christmas spirit.
Review of Arthur Christmas
