With Halloween not being too long ago, and with Christmas right around the corner, AMC Theater Is currently marking the 30th anniversary of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” with showtimes. Released on Oct. 29, 1993, the movie follows Jack Skellington, or The Pumpkin King.
Throughout the movie, we follow Jack as he discovers Christmas Town, finding a newfound sense of purpose. He attempts to put on his own version of Christmas, sending Lock, Shock and Barrel to abduct Santa Claus from Christmas Town. The kids give him to Oogie Boogie, who keeps him trapped.
Jack, however, doesn’t have any luck with Christmas. After giving all the children scary versions of beloved Christmas toys, the military takes down his sled. He has a moment of sadness in a graveyard, before traveling back to Halloween Town and saving Santa and love interest Sally from Oogie Boogie. Santa saves Christmas, giving the movie a joyful ending.
So, what is so important about this movie? I would say the style of animation, the music and the character arc Jack Skellington goes through makes for an amazing movie.
Starting with the animation, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is animated via stop-motion. Everything from the characters to the set is made by hand, each frame captured by a picture. I personally love stop-motion animation, especially in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” It gives a different kind of life to the film. Though sometimes a little choppy, it adds so much personality, as it does to Tim Burton’s other works.
Another thing that adds so much life not only to the individual characters, but Halloween Town as a whole, is the music. The movie opens with the entire town gathering to sing “This is Halloween” to welcome the Pumpkin King back. It displays the amazing character designs of the monsters, giving them all unique voices. I personally believe that Danny Elfman did a fantastic job with the soundtrack.
Either a Halloween or Christmas movie, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is certainly a holiday classic for all ages.
