It seems long ago and yet, because of the movie's prevalence, it could have been only yesterday that I caught Henry (James and the Giant Peach/Coraline) Selick/Tim (Beetlejuice/Batman) Burton's cultish The Nightmare Before Christmas at a matinee in a theater that no longer exists.
Nightmare Before Christmas was (is) a throwback of sorts, channeling the stop-motion-animated style of George Pal's Puppetoons and Rankin/Bass' holiday specials, in particular that company's big-screen contribution, Mad Monster Party?.
Burton and Michael McDowell's script, however, was quirkier than the aforementioned, carrying a snarky, Beetlejuice vibe, but like its predecessors, it has stayed popular longer than expected (a good, thirty years); though as most no doubt realize, the odds wouldn't favor such cynical (not to mention, pro-holiday) piece to be manufactured in the judgmental present. (And to think this one was bestowed by the now uber-sensitive Disney/Touchstone!)
To the story's credit, it exudes inspiring determination, as Jack Skellington, aka The Pumpkin King, dares to spread ghoulish, Christmas cheer to others, even though they don't want it. Sally, the Frankenstein girl, lends Skellington her support, despite his evident folly, but then so does the audience, who wishes him well, even though he's fated to fail.
To complicate Skellington's brashness, Santa Claus is kidnapped along the way, which roughens the story to an arguable fault, but Danny Elfman's musical numbers keep it rolling with a pleasant, eye-on-the-prize ebullience.
The textured vocalizations help, too, with Chris (Fright Night) Sarandon as Skellington (with Elfman providing Jack's singing, in addition to Barrel's voice); Catherine (Beetlejuice) O'Hara as Sally and Shock; Paul (Pee-wee's Big Adventure/Batman Returns) Reubens as Lock; Glenn (Bob the Builder) Proops as The Devil and Harlequin; William (Puppet Master) Hickey as Dr. Finklestein; Glenn (Beetlejuice) Shadix as The Mayor; Edward (Blood Red) Ivory as Santa; Ken (All Dogs Go to Heaven) Page as Oogie Boogie; and Glenn (The Hoodoo Rhythm Devils) Walters as Wolfman.
Nightmare Before Christmas' crossover premise is ingenious enough to sustain interest for several, seasonal months, which may be part of its long-term appeal, though it's labor-of-love workmanship is surely the key.
In all honesty, Nightmare Before Christmas can (and should) be enjoyed any time of the year, but for now, its (4K remastered) theatrical run covers October 20-26 (and maybe, if we're lucky, even a bit beyond). See ya there!
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