Tis the Season for Animated Christmas Specials (Part 2)

Now we move from claymation to some serious animation. Of course, we have to start with my favourite!

Disney's Prep & Landing

This is one of the coolest animated Christmas specials that I have ever seen. It has fast become a family favourite at our house. It takes a look behind the scenes at how through the help of elves (known as prep & landing) Santa gets in and out of all those houses. It is the kind of show that both adults and children will enjoy equally. I'm not going to tell you the plot, since I really think you should watch it yourself. Just be sure to watch for my favourite part "Rev up the engines!"

Prep & Landing: Naughty vs Nice

This is the sequel to Prep & Landing that just came out this year. I have to say that it follows the trend of many sequels in that it is not nearly as good as the first one. It does have some cute moments though so it is not a total right off.  In this story, Lanny & Wayne, team up with one of the coal elves to retrieve classified North Pole technology that has fallen into the wrong hands.  

Shrek the Halls

This one features all of your favourite characters from the Shrek movies with a Christmasy twist. It's another show that adults will get a few chuckles over as well. In this special, Shrek attempts to give Fiona a special Christmas, which is inevitably 'ruined' by all of their friends. Several versions of the Night Before Christmas are also told by the characters who put their own spins on it. All in all, a funny special the whole family can enjoy.

Little Spirit: Christmas in New York

This is the story of a boy named Leo who moves to Manhattan and loses his dog. Little Spirit (some strange glowing creature) shows up and takes him on a journey where Leo meets some interesting New Yorkers and is eventually reunited with his dog. The whole story is told by a friendly cabbie who looks uncannily like Danny DeVito.

Yes, Virginia

Although I love comical Christmas specials, I am also a fan of ones with a special message. In this one, a young girl, Virginia, asks that ever popular question "Is there a Santa Claus?" Her quest for an answer leads her to write a letter to the New York Sun newspaper. At the end of the show, you (much like Virginia) can't help but become a believer. (If you aren't, all I have to say is Bah humbug!)


The Flight Before Christmas

A reindeer who can't fly, but wants to be like his father (one of the 'flying forces') who deserted his mother  - that's the premise of this special. And who better to find as a flight teacher but a flying squirrel. In true reindeer fashion, our hero must also travel to the North Pole to aid Santa Claus and his fleet of reindeer. Only unlike Rudolph, it is not fog that is the problem but a pack of mean wolves who plot to eat Santa's reindeer.

The Polar Express

Yes, I know this is more of a movie than a Christmas special, but it is a good movie. The first time I saw it was in the theatre, it was in 3D and had very cool visual effects. If you're not familiar with the story, it is based on a book about a little boy who rides a train (called the Polar Express) up to the North Pole where he gets to meet the jolly man in red himself. The interesting part of the movie is trying to figure out which characters are played by Tom Hanks (since so many of them are).

For those who are Jewish, there is also the Hanukkah special 'Eight Crazy Nights', but I have to admit I wasn't a huge fan of the story line. Normally I like Adam Sandler, but I just couldn't get into this one.

And that concludes my Animated Christmas Specials list. Check your local listings for times they are airing. I myself will be setting my DVR so that I can watch the ones that I am sure to miss and also so I can play my favourites over and over again throughout the holiday season. I love Christmas!