Film Review: THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993): Disney’s Stop-Motion Classic Returns to the Big Screen for its 30th Anniversary

The Nightmare Before Christmas Review

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Film Review, a movie directed by Henry Selick, written by Tim Burton, Michael McDowell and Caroline Thompson and starring Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page, Greg Proops, Randy Crenshaw and Carmen Twillie.

Director Henry Selick’s The Nightmare Before Christmas has long been thought of as a Tim Burton movie and although Burton did co-write and produce it, it was the actual director, Selick, whose name got overshadowed back in 1993 when the film was first released. Now, 30 years later, the stop-motion animated film is back on the big screen where it deserves to be seen, especially by fans who have yet to see it there. Nominated for a Best Visual Effects Academy Award back when it came out, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a visual treat. It also features memorable songs like “This is Halloween” and “What’s This?” but the true artistry of the film is in its characterizations and world-building.

Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon when he’s not singing) is the well-dressed Pumpkin King, the boss of Halloween. He makes sure his town is scary and delivers the perfect Halloween year after year. Jack is a skeleton with a removable head and bones. Zero is his dog who flies around in a ghostly fashion. Zero has a nose that is destined to glow later in the picture as Zero leads Jack’s sleigh when he takes over Christmas and assumes the job of Santa Claus (Jack hilariously thinks he’s called “Sandy Claws”). Zero is like a version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and he leads a sleigh of skeletons that look like reindeer in a bizarre, Tim Burton-like way.

Sally (voice of Catherine O’Hara) is a stitched-up female creation of the offbeat Dr. Finkelstein (the great William Hickey). Sally is always trying to poison Finkelstein to try to free herself of the limitations the peculiar doctor sets for her. She yearns to be with Jack Skellington who is much admired by the Mayor of the town of Halloween (voice of Glenn Shadix). Sally removes her stitched-on legs and arms to help her escape from captivity and to try to save the day later in the movie. Sally is one of the most memorable characters in Selick’s movie, yet it feels she’s not quite as well-developed as Jack is. The scenes that feature Sally are still absolutely priceless to watch.

Jack bursts out in song (now the voice of Danny Elfman in this scene and other song presentation scenes) with “What’s This?” as he discovers the holiday of Christmas which he falls instantly in awe of. Jack becomes mystified by Christmas and tries to experiment with the help of some scientific equipment borrowed directly from Dr. Finkelstein. Jack formulates a plan to replace “Sandy Claws” with himself and hires three kids headed by Lock (voice of the terrific Paul Reubens) to kidnap Sandy so Jack can go around and deliver ghastly presents to kids that are better suited to his own holiday– Halloween.

The Nightmare Before Christmas was always messy but it’s a treat to behold despite this fact. The villainous Oogie Boogie (voice of Ken Page), a walking and talking sack of bugs, was always too scary to make the movie perfect for all ages but there is a lot of humor and entertainment value to be found in Selick’s wildly unique picture. Jack is much of the show and how much you enjoy his character will determine how much you will love the film.

When the film was released in 1993, it made my ten-best list but after the passing of 30 years, I still wish that Sally and Jack had more screen time together. They make some magical moments together and one can only hope these characters resurface in a sequel one day in the future. Some may argue that a sequel could ruin the uniqueness of the original.

The sequences towards the end feel a bit half-baked although there are some great ideas here. As the authorities try to shoot Jack, Zero and the sleigh of skeletal reindeer from the sky, everything seems to be a bit rushed. Though the kids who get Christmas gifts from Jack open hysterically funny presents, more could have been done with the premise of Jack taking over the role of Santa Claus. However, in 1993, a stop-motion animated film like The Nightmare Before Christmas was very difficult to make and was a technical achievement to be cherished. Looking back at it makes for a nostalgic experience. It shows how far we’ve come technologically speaking but, at the same time, it’s easy to appreciate the visuals of Selick and Burton’s quirky and creative project.

While The Nightmare Before Christmas is not a perfect “10” now, I don’t think it ever was. But, that’s part of what is so admirable about the movie. It’s messy just like it would probably be if the leader of Halloween tried to take over Christmas in a world where holiday leaders existed. Selick fashioned a truly enjoyable cinematic experience in 1993 that still shines dark and bright depending on the holiday we are watching in the picture. The dark Halloween world merges with the bright Christmas one so interestingly that one can only wonder if this film would have won the Best Animated Feature Oscar had a category like that existed back then. I think it would have won. Catch up with Jack, Sally, Zero and company this Halloween season on the big screen. It will be a throwback down memory lane if you’ve seen it before and completely engrossing if you have not.

Rating: 9/10

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