Aquele Natal

Netflix offers us a very entertaining animated Christmas movie that brings all the British humor and sweetness to a family pastime with a nice message to enjoy.

Director Simon Otto brings Richard Curtis' script to life with a tenderness and lightness that allows us to enjoy a fun Christmas adventure that manages to bring out emotions and a few tears, too. It's an ensemble story that gives us fun characters with truly emotional stories that allow us to have a simple connection with several of them. Curtis' first foray into animation draws on the same authentic energies that made his previous works so beloved.

Its beautiful messages such as community, kindness, affection and pure love are reflected in a big heart and it is generous with its happy endings, which inevitably invites us to have a film full of positivity and generosity when it comes to making us feel delighted and comfortable with what we are watching.

It's a simple story. We won't find any major plot challenges within the story and you may never feel that evil is present, but even so the film manages to give us moments of tension and satisfaction in equal parts, making us experience a rather pleasant and delightful family pastime.

Netflix hits the mark again with its animated releases. Although the film may not be the most spectacular of the year in the genre, it has its British charm that makes it totally enjoyable and pleasant, allowing you to have a good time without having to try too hard, which helps to win over the little ones and the older ones in equal measure.

This film had lots of potential with some great voice actors let down by a very poor script and every single kind of 'political correct' statement of inclusion, diversity, and equity rammed into every inch. I am all for adding in the right message but this was just trying too hard and made it feel like 'message' rather than a movie.

My kids enjoyed it well enough but I don't think this a going to be one that we watch every year on repeat like the usual favourites. Netflix and the other streaming channels need to just bring good honest fun like Klaus which is our firm favourite and their best new Christmas movie in recent years.

I'm not gonna lie, I really wanted this to be something truly special as a Christmas movie. The kind that could've been something a real special tradition on Netflix since Klaus. And I was let down by this one. That Christmas had so much potential to be a great movie for the holidays, but it just ended up as completely mid. It had the right tools with great animation and I honestly think that Daniel's side plot should've been the only plot worth focusing because I see the heart coming from it does come to the right place. But it overall had way too many plot holes that they barely had any connection to one another. Like how the kids plan to celebrate Christmas their way, parents getting lost and unable to be home for Christmas, and a naughty twin sister seeking redemption. All that is hard to know what the movie wants to mainly be about. Plus, the comedy is stale and relies on having the tone modernized. If you're planning on watching this for Christmas, then I simply recommend that it's a one-time watch. There are better Christmas movies such as Klaus and Christmas Chronicles. I'm not gonna lie, 2024 has not been a good year for Netflix when it comes to animated films. Sure, we've gotten some good ones such as Ultraman Rising and Orion and the Dark. But for the most part, Netflix has released movies that are either average or just straight up bad. So the best I'll say to Netflix is, well, better luck next year.

Santa tells the story of "that Christmas", his most difficult Christmas ever. Set in Wellington-on-Sea, England, we follow a bunch of characters whose plans are altered by a fierce snowstorm.

Danny has a crush on Sam but doesn't have the courage to tell her. Danny's Dad was supposed to visit them for the holidays, but he can't make it because of the storm. With his mom having to work on Christmas Day, Danny faces being alone on Christmas.

A Group of parents become stuck in the blizzard, while their children also face spending Christmas without them, but - undaunted - the kids plan on making it their best Christmas ever. There's the twins Sam and Charlie, of which one is nice while the other one is naughty - or is she really?

Ah, and then there's MS Trapper, who might come across as a strict and somewhat unpleasant teacher, but there's far more to this character than meets the eye! And somewhere in there is Santa, who is trying his best to spread the Christmas spirit.

'About Christmas' is a feel-good movie for the whole family. The stunning animation will appeal to young and old. The film is funny overall, but the subtle humour was by far the funniest!

It's hard to call this a classic right away, but is it Good? Yes, it's very good.

The director has delivered other projects in live action. This film looks, feels and is written like a good holiday movie performed by capable actors.

The animation is excellent in its realistically rendered environments and caricatured personalities.

The story, or stories, also follow a more mature theme than typical cartoon fare. Parents trying too hard to manage every aspect of the children's lives, an aging single teacher allowing a little too much of her life's disappointments bleed into her teaching, a houseful of kids celebrating Christmas without parents who are unable to get home because of the weather, a shy, nervous twin trying to understand and love her disrespectful and naughty sister, and the main protagonist who ties all of this together: the new kid who's trying to fit in at school, understand his mom's challenges with being a new single parent, and get the nice girl at school to notice him.

It's all charming, funny, sad, redeeming and thoroughly enjoyable.

Highly recommend.