Donovahn Wyatt is a critic for the Samford Crimson. The views expressed in this opinion article do not necessarily reflect the views of the Samford Crimson or Samford University.
With Halloween right around the corner, it’s also time to get prepared for the barrage of pre-Christmas commercialism for the next two months. However, there’s one film that’s perfect to watch anytime between October and December. Since this year is its 30th anniversary, let’s take a look at Henry Selick and Tim Burton’s stop motion musical classic, “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Figure 1 Theatrical Poster. From IMDB
The film follows Jack Skellington, the self-proclaimed “King of Halloween Town,” as he finds himself tired of the town’s namesake holiday. He soon stumbles across a new, unfamiliar holiday: Christmas. Skellington is fascinated by how different and joyous the holiday is compared to the monotony he’s found in Halloween. So, he schemes to make Christmas in his own spooky way.
Figure 2 Jack Skellington. From Cineluxe.
The plot is a fairly simple one, yet there’s an undeniable charm in the way it’s executed. This is thanks to movie’s brisk pacing; moments don’t linger for too long. Adding to this is the film’s score by Danny Elfman. Each song is catchy and recognizable, even for those who have not seen the movie. “This is Halloween” and “What’s this?” are easily the most popular songs to come out of the film.
The visuals can only be described as iconic. Selick’s animation and Burton’s visual style come together to form a truly striking picture. The characters themselves contribute just as much to the film’s pop culture significance. Skellington and Sally have both been cemented as Disney icons and icons of the Halloween season. Their designs alone are a testament to this and the overall timelessness of this movie’s imagery.
Figure 3 Jack and Sally. From InsideTheMagic
The designs are somehow creepy yet appealing. It’s no wonder why this film influenced an entire generation of goths. Burton’s aesthetic oozes style along with Selick’s highly impressive and expressive animation. It goes without saying, but this film is phenomenal. Its impact on pop culture and on animation as a whole cannot be understated. Films such as “The Corpse Bride” and “Coraline” owe so much to the groundwork “The Nightmare Before Christmas” provided. So, grab some friends and give this one a watch. You won’t be disappointed.
