Rudolph's Shiny New Year

Rudolph's Shiny New Year can be striking, and entertaining, if you're watching it when you're little - little enough that by the time you're my age you have no clear memory of the first time you watched it, just that you did over and over. As a kid you get introduced to claymation someway or another (even those of today who don't have Gumby get Wallace and Gromit), and this plays for a fine hour for the little ones, but can perhaps be of worth for the parents here and there. The story of Rudolph saving the "baby new-year" from the clutches of Eon, a vulture looking to keep December 31st on a loop, is pretty simple, with conflicts and characters that are typical and funny enough to take. But what can be memorable for a child is how some of this special is dark (with Eon) when it's not cute (most scenes with the baby). It's also interesting as a kind of sequel-cum-remake of the original Rudolph story, as the baby has to contend with having big ears- something that a child might find more relatable than a shiny nose. The songs are also a bit of a treat, if dated, and Red Skeleton does a fine double-job with the voicing of Father time and the little Bear on the island. Basically, it's the kind of special that is worth checking out with the kids for a few minutes, and if they get into it, it may prove a treat, and if not, there's still Nickelodeon.

I grew up watching Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer for a very long time. Rankin Bass and of course Romeo Muller have made such a great icon that was a classic for a very Long time. And Rankin Bass Jr. also helped out on the production and as it seemed i enjoyed this forever.

At Christmas time i watch many classics such as Frosty the Snowman. But Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer has been my most favorite that i have watched. I enjoyed it a lot and sometimes read the books about it. But Rudolph has been the best hero and leading Santa's sleigh was also a nice deed.

Despite what i have to say. I love Rudolph and i like his story. And since childhood i used to watch many cartoons starring him in it and I'm glad to say that it definitely pleased me. Rudolph was popular and was the best reindeer of all. And since seeing the original movie. I went on to seeing Rudolph's Shiny New Year because i thought it was a great masterpiece.

Of course being that. Rudolph has to save Baby New Year's Eve who is also teased because of how large his ears appear to be by the other kids. But also that they have to avoid the vulture who is mean and really is not nice at all.

Even though Rudolph is my favorite character since childhood and when i was a child watching the stuff before. He will continue to please me at Christmas time. Rudolph is a beloved and a great hero that has one simple message. Never be teased or alone when trying to join a group. Always be who you are and everything will be alright. This is what Rudolph will say if you are really sad.

The greatest holiday hit for Christmas ever. - Rudolph's Shiny New Year deserves to be on the most great holiday Christmas masterpieces of all time. Though if you are still a child this should entertain you. And may i say the characters such as Father Time and Rudolph himself will. The story was great, The animation was dazzling, And the concept and the look of the characters was awesome. This is not a movie to pass up on when Christmas is around the corner. You need to see this for yourself. You will be pleased, Definitely something i would recommend for both kids and grownups who are fans of the show.

Rankin/Bass sequel to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer doesn't come close to that classic but has charms of its own. The story is that Happy, the Baby New Year, has run away and unless he is returned by Dec 31st the current year will not end. Rudolph is asked to find Happy, which is appropriate since they both have in common that they were laughed at for physical oddities. Rudolph with his glowing red nose and Happy with his huge ears. It's a running gag throughout the special that every time someone sees Happy's ears they burst out laughing. It seems a little mean after awhile, to be honest.

The most interesting part of the story to me was the Archipelago of Last Years. Basically after every year ends, that year retires to an island all of its own. It's a neat idea that allowed Rankin/Bass to toy with various characters from different times. My favorite of these was the island of the year that all fairy tales and nursery rhymes were created. So we get to see Rankin/Bass animate characters like the Three Bears and Cinderella. Throughout the story, Rudolph picks up various allies and must contend with an evil vulture named Aeon.

The stop-motion animation is, as usual, excellent. I love the vulture in particular. The voicework is great. Billie Mae Richards returns as Rudolph. Red Skelton voices the narrator Father Time, as well as a short bit as Baby Bear (using one of his old standard voices from his radio & TV shows). Morey Amsterdam voices O.M. the caveman. The songs are a mixed bag and probably the special's weakest element. Also, as mentioned, the constant laughing at the baby for his ears is a little rough and the "moral" at the end, as stated by Rudolph, doesn't seem to fit. Still, it's an enjoyable special. It's not one of the best but it's Rankin/Bass so it's solid entertainment despite its flaws.

This is the one with the villainous Vulture, and where Rudolph gets trapped inside a big snowball. And the kid with the huge ears too...Well, it's not bad-Santa mixed with New Years and whatever-it doesn't quite hold up as well's 'Heat Mizer' or the first Frosty, but it's a fun watch for the family.

*** outta ****

Another Rankin-Bass holiday classic I grew up with - I was 4 years old in 1976 and watched it every year after it first aired for years.

What is cuter than this New Years Baby and his ears? I always thought he was adorable.

I always loved the Rankin-Bass specials - well made, nice stories, sometimes funny, and lovable characters - even the bad guys are great villains.

In this tale, Santa sends Rudolph out to find Happy, the New Years Baby, who had wondered far away from his home because others laughed at those cute ears of his. Happy just wants a friend but time is running out - you see, New Years is coming soon.

Highly recommended viewing.

10/10.