Jack Skellington isn’t your average cinema hero. First of all, there’s that skeleton-like head and body of his. I mean, let’s face it: Jack Skellington isn’t quite Peter Pan. Of course, that’s what makes him so darn lovable.
The Nightmare Before Christmas, based on a story by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Sellick, is, quite possibly, one of the most imaginative films made in the last twenty years. Fusing the holidays of Christmas and Halloween, Nightmare Before Christmas is the story of what supposedly happened when the two holidays collided.
When Jack Skellington finds himself in Christmastown, he falls in love with the holiday, desperate to bring it back with him to the citizens of Halloweentown. However, as Jack is more schooled in the details of the holiday of Halloween, his idea of Christmas isn’t exactly what the world considers Christmas delight.
The situation gets really out of hand when Halloweentown’s Oogie Boogie Man decides to kidnap Santa Claus (or as he’s known in Halloweentown, Santa Claws). Soon, Sally, Jack’s main squeeze, is the only one who can stop Oogie Boogie, help Santa save Christmas and, as a result, save Jack.
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a charming tale filled with music composed by the brilliant Danny Elfman. Some younger children might find a few of the scenes a bit scary, but no doubt that many children will instantly fall in love with Jack Skellington and the music of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The Nightmare Before Christmas is available on DVD from amazon.com.