Don't listen to the negative reviews

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Aardman Animations Arthur Christmas is a charming animated film that children will enjoy but I found it underwhelming with some one note characterisation and uneven plot which is a touch overlong.Set on on the night before Christmas a crack operation is involved to help Santa Clause deliver all the presents to the children of the world. Santa is part of a dynasty and the present one has been going for 71 years and rather past his best, with his oldest son Steve hoping to take over as the new Santa soon.Arthur Claus the well meaning but rather clumsy youngest son discovers that the Santa's high tech slight -craft failed to deliver one girl's present. Arthur helped by his elderly grandfather goes on a mission to deliver the present in time but end up getting lost first.There are some clever things here such as how the elves deliver presents with military precision but it is not as charming as the other Aardman films and also it is too male centric.

Searching round on Netflix UK,I decided to take a look at their "Festive Features" section and I spotted a Christmas movie from Aardman Animation,which led to me getting ready to meet Arthur.The plot:Working in the letters department, Arthur Claus looks up in awe at his dad Malcolm,who is the latest member of the family to take the role of Santa.Needing to give every child a present,Santa and his other son Steve design space ships which allow them to travel the world in record time.Relying on machines to keep track of the presents being dropped off,the Christmas's and their elves do not notice that they have forgotten to deliver one present.Expecting to be given the job of new Santa,Steve is disappointed to find out that Malcolm plans to continue being Santa for years to come.Cleaning up the place,an elf discovers the undelivered present. Worried about how upset the child will be,Arthur decides that they must get the present to the child right away,but soon discovers that the rest of the family lack his Christmas Spirit.View on the film:Changing their animation method from clay stop-motion to CGI,co- writer/(along with Peter Baynham) director Sarah Smith and fellow director Barry Cook keep Aardman's distinctive features intact,as speedy whip-pans catch every wide-tooth grin and extra large eyes,whilst the Claus workshop gets filled with Aardman's trademark background gags which make repeat viewings of their works a Christmas cracker worth pulling. Following the Claus's (and the elves) on their deliveries,the directors make each location wonderfully distinctive,as the sleight goes from the dizzying lights of Toronto to the scorching hot jungles of Africa.Opening with a gallery featuring the history of Santa's,the writers deliciously keep the warm Christmas message intact,but hilariously show Santa trying to modernise his operations,that lead to all of the Claus's having to dust off their old ways,as they each struggle to get the hang of the Santa Sat-Nav.Walking round in a X-Mas jumper, James McAvoy gives a great performance as Arthur,thanks to McAvoy making sure to keep Arthur's passion for Christmas sincere rather than twee.Joining McAvoy in his X-Mas jumper, Hugh Laurie gives a very funny huff & puff performance as Steve,whilst Jim Broadbent is the perfect fit for the voice of the Aardman Santa.

It's beginning to become cliché that in Christmas you have to watch movies that have to do with Santa. However, the movies that manage to emerge are either low quality TV movies, or movies based on old ones that really don't have anything new to say. Arthur Christmas is not like the other movies, as the whole family of Santa and their enterprise of giving gifts and delivering them on time is nicely described by the movie. So, the first part was okay, and the last part was fine, however there's a hole in the middle that ruins the rest. At some point, things go way too confusing to follow, and probably way too confusing for the creators as well. Other than that, a nice movie for the family. So, 4 out of 10.

I went to see this movie at the theatre with the kids from my school. They loved it! I was doubtfully and not a little. The Santa Claus family wear army clothes and are very, how can I put it, "right wing thinking" in their attitude... Then, comes an invasion of extra-terrestrials and the "Claus" family shoot at them to destroy them. The extra-terrestrials don't even attack... At this moment, I was really wondering what kind of twisted message this movie delivers to the kids. In my opinion, not a good one at all. I don't understand how actors like James McAvoy, Bill Nighy or Imelda Staunton got involved in this movie but I hope they regretted. I give this movie 1. To avoid at any price if you don't want your kids to become haters of the unknown, of the strangers...