Tim Burton seems like the only being on the planet who could come with characters such as the ones found in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The feature is a tale likely to be found in a child’s dreams. It creates a world of its own, inhabiting unforgettable characters and events that should be shared with generations. This film is a visual masterpiece; a movie that deserves to be a holiday favorite for some time to come. He has already brought us one unique vision after the other, especially with the first two “Batman” films and “Edward Scissorhands” behind him as of ’93 when “Nightmare” was made.
It’s a wonderful and charming movie that is original, funny, and moving. The reason this movie still stands the test of time is because this was a personal treasure of Tim Burton’s. You can tell the love that was put into this film, it’s incredible the way that it was made and the soundtrack is one of the best albums of all time. All the characters are lovable and a pleasure to watch as they bring this dark comedic tale to life. The most famous image of this film is the cover art, which features Skellington eerily silhouetted against a full moon while he stands atop a coiled hill that overlooks a desolate graveyard.
Halloween Town is a dream world filled with citizens such as deformed monsters, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, vampires, werewolves, and witches. Jack Skellington leads them in a frightful celebration every Halloween, but he has grown tired of the same routine year after year. Wandering in the forest outside the town center, he accidentally opens a portal to “Christmas Town”. Impressed by the feeling and style of Christmas, Jack presents his findings and his understanding of the holiday to the Halloween Town residents. They fail to grasp his meaning and compare everything he says to their idea of Halloween.
He reluctantly decides to play along and announces that they will take over Christmas. Every resident is assigned a task, while Sally, a rag doll woman who is created by the town’s mad scientist, begins to feel a romantic attraction towards Jack. However, she alone fears that his plans will become disastrous. Christmas Eve he begins to deliver presents to children around the world, but the gifts: shrunken heads, Christmas tree-eating snakes, only terrify the recipients. Realizing what damage he did Jack attempts to fix what he has done, but has to make sure to make Santa safe and happy again.
The Nightmare Before Christmas is not necessarily a children’s movie, it might be too strange or fantastical for the very young. The picture is a walk into the mind of some of the most wildly imaginative filmmakers of our time. The Nightmare Before Christmas is titled wonderfully, although the film is truly not a nightmare, but a dream brought to life on the big screen.