An Almost Christmas Story

Moon is a baby owl who gets out of the home nest and becomes trapped in the giant Christmas tree headed for The Rockefeller Center. It falls right into the middle of the skating rink and later befriends lost girl Luna.

This is a sort-of Disney Christmas special. Other than some of the voice actors, the only name I recognize is Alfonso Cuarón. It's partly his story. I am not familiar with it. It seems a little not that special and I don't find it all that memorable. Only the Rockefeller section really stuck. I like the stop motion animation. The designs are fine. It's a not-that-special special.

I simply loved this film. A story of a (naughty) little owl, who gets lost and has to find his way home. It is beautifully animated, some reviews have said they couldn't get used to the animation, but I loved it. Reminded me of Eastern European children stories back in the 70's. The detail was outstanding. Loved John C Reilly, I had forgotten he could sing so well. Don't worry, it's not a musical, he is a folk singer, and narrates part of the story. This film works for viewers of all ages, and I would definitely recommend it, particularly at this time of the year. I could watch this year after year!

An Almost Christmas Story is a delightful holiday short that perfectly embodies the magic of the season. This beautifully animated tale, directed by David Lowery and produced by Alfonso Cuarón, captures the spirit of Christmas with heartwarming storytelling, impressive animation, and an engaging voice cast. It is a must-watch that will appeal to audiences of all ages, showcasing the timeless values of friendship, courage, and the power of home.

Inspired by true events, the storyline follows Moon, a young owl who finds himself accidentally trapped in a Christmas tree headed to Rockefeller Plaza. Amid the hustle and bustle of New York City, Moon meets Luna, a lost girl, and together they embark on an adventure filled with wonder, laughter, and discovery. Their bond deepens as they navigate challenges and find their way back to their families, learning valuable lessons along the way.

Cary Christopher brings a lively innocence to the voice of Moon, while newcomer Estella Madrigal's portrayal of Luna is filled with warmth and earnestness. The supporting cast, including Jim Gaffigan as the wise Papa Owl and Natasha Lyonne as Pat, adds depth and humor to the story. John C. Reilly's performances of original songs as The Folk Singer infuse the short with a charming musical touch, enhancing its festive atmosphere. The animation, handled by 88 Pictures, is vibrant and detailed, creating scenes that are both stunning and immersive. My favorite part of the film is the breathtaking use of color and lighting. From the glow of the Rockefeller Center lights to the gentle hues of winter, the visuals encapsulate the enchantment of the holiday season. The attention to detail in every frame adds an extra layer of joy, making it a visual treat.

The core message of An Almost Christmas Story emphasizes the importance of resilience and companionship. It's a positive reminder that, even in the most unexpected circumstances, acts of kindness and courage can light the way. The film promotes teamwork and caring behavior, with no inappropriate language or risky behaviors to worry about for younger viewers.

I give An Almost Christmas Story 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, with adults likely to enjoy it as well. It premieres on Disney+ on November 15, 2024, just in time to warm hearts for the holiday season. By Ashleigh C., KIDS FIRST!

This cute little animated short follows the adventures of an owl named Moon who gets stuck in a tree that is carted off to Rockefeller Center, where he meets hostile pigeons, jealous dogs, and a friendly one-legged girl.

The look is distinct. The owls look like they're carved out of wood, and some people and objects look like cardboard cutouts. I'm unclear if there was any point to the look beyond hey, this would look cool, but it is interesting.

Unfortunately it doesn't work well with their people designs. The singing-narrator in particular looks creepy and weird, which is certainly not what they were going for.

The best thing is Natasha Lyonne voicing a street-wise New York pigeon. But then, Lyonne is pretty much always the best thing in whatever she's in, so that figures.

I wouldn't say this was a great short, but I did enjoy it and if you're looking for something to watch at Christmastime this is a pretty good option.

The pluses.

Great Voice talent. All of them sounded good acted great, just right.

Nice vibe for the most part. In the delivery of the script.

The negatives.

Not really much of a story. The set up was ok, but then it didn't really go anywhere and nothing much happened, although as mentioned above it was delivered well.

The look. I didn't mind the owls but the human forms were creepy, for no reason. The characters did nothing creepy, there was no creepy required in the story, it was just shadowy lighting and dirty looking puppets, for no reason. Someone came up with the look independent of the story and crowbarred it in. Style over content as we're seeing far too often in film content these days.

We got to the end of the film and looked at each other and said, is that it? What was that about? Why did we watch it?

It wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything much either.