It's funny that some of the Oscar nominated movies were not as good as this. The animated movie section could have done with a movie like this. It has more than a little heart and it is a really good movie. I liked the 3-D too, but it's not really important. Because the movie works with it and without it.

When the movie started (I knew the general idea through the trailer),I did wonder how'd they make a feature length movie out of it. I wouldn't say I was afraid, they'd just fill the running time with smaller benign things, but I didn't really believe in it. I was so wrong. The movie always has something up its sleeve and it works perfectly. Great characters, great comedy and a heart that is so sweet it might be made out of sugar!

The role of Santa has been passed down from father to son since the first Saint Nick. North Pole is a highly organized high-tech gift-delivery home base for Santa under the snow. After 70 years, his type-A son Steve expects him to retire but he doesn't. His other son is the bumbling Arthur Christmas. There is one missed delivery and Steve claims it's impossible to deliver it with the limited time remaining. Santa agrees but Arthur is unwilling to let it go. With the help of Grandpa and the older sleigh, he intends to complete the mission.

I love the dysfunctional Santa family. It's a fun take. It's also clever and fresh. The highly inappropriate old fashion Grandpa Santa is hilarious. Arthur is likable. There isn't really an evil villain. This is just a bickering family that ultimately loves each other. It's a lot of fun, joy, happiness, heart and family.

The "test" of a film like this is whether you can just let go and enjoy it, or whether you are constantly feeling the presence of the writers or directors trying to push you or pull you.... I was delightfully surprised because this little treat was not released by a major player with all kinds of fanfare and expectations, it seemed designed as a simple holiday staple from the getgo, yet the writing and the animation were as good as or better than any of the big league stuff. This film is more fun than a barrel of hammers and in my view can (and should) be watched anytime of year by children of all ages, which includes grandparents.

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updated review ... unappreciated film ... and I know why

After first watching, I felt compelled to revisit Arthur Christmas again, and then again, and just finished my 4th go. The IMDb score is much too low and I know why. This is one of those very rare films where the creators put so much care and effort into the production that you cannot appreciate it all first time around. The dialog, the action is simply too quick. Fourth time around I was on the floor laughing at lines I had missed the first three times. There is more attention to detail in the closing credits than in many B-grade "thrillers" being churned out today. I believe this is not only one of the best animations ever done (in terms of script and execution) but also one of the best X-mas stories ever done. It deserves to be considered a classic. Maybe a new generation will notice it and give it the respect it deserves.