This latest animated effort from Aardman Animation (Wallace and Gromit and Flushed Away) puts a lively spin on the Santa Claus legend. Arthur is a young man with a most interesting life. He works in the mail room at Santa's Workshop and if that weren't grand enough, it just so happens that Santa is his dad. Arthur greatly looks up to his father, but is dismayed when Santa and his elves accidentally skip a single child one fateful Christmas Eve. Arthur is disappointed after discovering that his father doesn't have the energy or the will to right his wrong. Adding insult to injury, Arthur's big brother Steve (who just so happens to head up mission control at Santa's Workshop) seems to care even less about taking care of the situation. So, Arthur commandeers an out of commission sleigh with the aid of his retired grandfather and sets out to deliver the gift.

Not surprisingly, their are plenty of bumps along the way. Arthur Christmas marries a contemporary holiday vibe with a more traditional Christmas tone. Its more offbeat and quick witted than it is warm and fuzzy, but it certainly offers up a healthy dose of Christmas spirit in the wonderful opening and the heart tugging finale. Arthur Christmas is briskly paced and is sure to keep the little ones happy while the rapid fire dialogue, British humor, and unexpected edge will appeal to the adults in the audience. The animation is well done. I loved the character design. Particularly Arthur himself. The animators even give their lovable protagonist, acne. I felt a bit of an emotional disconnect in Arthur Christmas, most notably between Santa and his son, but I suppose that's part of the point. Flaws aside though, Arthur Christmas is wonderfully animated and full of outstanding vocal work (props to James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Laurie, and a hilarious Bill Nighy). It isn't quite the Christmas classic I was hoping for but still well worth checking out.