There is very little to add to what has been said in the previous review, which sums up 'Dot and Santa Claus' very well indeed. 'Dot and Santa Claus' is the first sequel to 'Dot and the Kangaroo' and is one of its better sequels and doesn't fare too badly in ranking of the series.
'Dot and Santa Claus' is not perfect. It is agreed that some of the trippy sequences, such as the volcano monsters, add very little, next to nothing in fact, and feel very out of place within the rest of the film. The ending does feel abrupt, and again like 'Dot and the Kangaroo', while not as repetitive, the animation is not always great, being flat in colour and lacking finesse.
However, the backgrounds are meticulously detailed and the live action works very well and doesn't jar at all.
Meanwhile, the music fares much better than in 'Dot and the Kangaroo'. "Are You Going to the Circus" fares best, while the touching "It's So Easy to be Lost in a Crowd" and uplifting "Ingenuity" are not too far behind.
The script is funny, poignant and heart-warming, while the characters are engaging and well voiced by the likes of Barbara Frawley, Ron Haddrick and Drew Forsythe.
Like with 'Dot and the Kangaroo', it's the story where 'Dot and Santa Claus' shines brightest. Parts are fun and uplifting, but it's the charm and emotional heart that's particularly note-worthy, really warming the heart and moving even the most cynical of adults to at least a tear or two. The messaging is sincere and never preachy or tacked-on.
In summary, good first follow-up. 7/10 Bethany Cox
