Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons. Rudolf Ising was a bit hit and miss for me, there are cartoons of his that are well worth watching with a lot of charm, well engineered gags and any sentiment not getting too much even when the story is weak. There are also other cartoons of his that are not particularly funny or interesting, dully paced and don't have great characters, despite good animation and music.
'The Pups' Christmas' is in neither extreme completely overall, but it has elements of both (luckily more the former hence the above average rating). Was not expecting an awful lot, as the story didn't sound that inspired and like there would be much funny with too much cutesiness. Having seen cartoons with relatively similar premises that have fallen into those traps. While 'The Pups' Christmas' is an uneven cartoon and may be easy to criticise for some, for me despite finding issues with it a large part of me just couldn't be too hard on it. Of the titular pups' cartoons, 'The Pups' Christmas' is the best and the festive setting has much to do with it, as well as that it is tighter in pace and has more interesting supporting characters.
It isn't perfect, with the biggest criticisms being the wafer thin and predictable story and how abrupt the gear change from the cute to the uneasily and jarringly dark the action becomes.
Also thought it took time to get going.
However, a lot is good. The animation is vibrantly colourful and fluid, with lovingly crafted and detail background art. Nothing looks rushed or static. Even better, and this is probably the best aspect of 'The Pups' Christmas', is the music, it is lushly orchestrated and very characterful in an energetic way.
Furthermore, it is very charming and didn't feel too cute in the first half or too sugary. The titular pups are very loveable and the gags, while never hilarious, are at least well timed and amusing. The festive atmosphere is also well done, with a real heart-warming and sweet feel. The supporting characters/objects are very colourfully done in animation and personalities.
Concluding, uneven but well above average. 7/10.
