The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland

I know that searching for Christmas coziness is a nearly futile pursuit, and has been for awhile, but seriously-does EVERYTHING need to be geared toward the TikTok/ <20s community??

Nasal, generic female singer proffers auto-tuned pop songs, while snarky young Scottish actresses who sound gleaned from trashy soaps charmlessly voice Santa's reindeer who are all bullying a single outlier (YAWN).

And Gerard Butler--really? He has ONE setting! Gruff-but-jolly Scotsman, and he is NOT a singer. He isn't really an actor, either, but no one loves Butler as much as he loves himself-can he look at a camera lens without that smug "yes. I AM Heathcliff, and my ponytail and jack boots are here to whisk all of you Shirley Valentines away to the wild heather'ed Moors" Recall the days, about 30 years ago when the rags were plastered with the tousled-hair-to-the-collar guys? When women actually swooned over the icky greaseball commonly known as Vigo Mortensen? Or how about the wan twig who's now aged into Gramps Munster, Orlando Bloom, or the sentient whiskey bottle who portrayed Lady Chatterley's Lover, Sean Bean? Hugh Jackman's barely-concealed cheesiness was at its peak when he stole the widdle tweedy heart of cutesy-wootsy Meg-my-sleeves-cover-my-hands-because-I'm-so-little-and-New-York-awkward/adorable Ryan in his 18th-century dickie and frock coat (and jack boots-don't forget the JACK BOOTS!). Oh, and he also portrayed Van Helsing, a fictional vampire hunter. With one of the English Kates.

Yeah. You even got a bit dewy over the crashing bore of a drunken boar Russel Crowe, didn't ya! Well, Gerard Butler was working that blue-collar brogue hoping to plant his smirk on your heart somewhere amongst the rakish cads....

..and what he'll be remembered for is a Scottish Viking riding a cartoon dragon. He just isn't that interesting. More interesting than I, admittedly, but so are many people.

The artwork is folksy and warm, but it's ruined by digital cut-out movement that only serves to make it look like a literal cut & paste job, and the authors' pilfering of better material trying to blend a nursery rhyme and a fantasy tale just isn't that clever. Nope.

It's actually a pretty good film. It is kind of a mix of most of the classics. This is something different that paints to the newer generations. I good not keep my eyes off the tv and was tapping my foot to the songs. Animation style is made to look more hand painted or drawn, which is a work of art in itself.

This is not your typical holiday animation with upbeat and catchy music. I do recommend that anyone keeps an open mind as this movie seems to be more developed towards children.

There are plenty of scenarios that tie along with classics and what better Christmas "villain" would be someone like the Grinch. The ending ties along with a mixture of Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer and The Grinch. There are bits of Alice in the Wonderland. Overall this movie was put together really well and if you have younger kids it's a must watch.

The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland is a mashup of upbeat music, the twists and turns of Wonderland, and the holiday spirit! It's perfect for families and it definitely brought up some Christmas memories for me

The film follows the story of St. Nick (Gerard Butler) on Christmas day as he gets ready to deliver presents. He receives a last-minute letter from the Princess of Hearts (Eliza Riley) who requests a special present, her own special pet. Despite being warned of the twisted Wonderland by his reindeer, St. Nick goes on a musical journey to fulfill the princess's wish. But on arrival, he has to face the Christmas hating, Queen of Hearts (Emilie Clark) and try to teach her what Christmas is all about.

The main characters are St. Nick, Alice (Simone Ashley), Prancer (Mae Muller) and the Queen of Hearts! I love how the music is super catchy and fits the holiday theme, but it also gives you a little something to dance to. I love the fun combination of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Clement Clarke Moore's poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas." The story is well-developed. The animation is unique, especially since it is not a style you see much today; it's a line-drawn style that is reminiscent of older-style holiday films. I got to speak with Gerard Butler who plays St. Nick, and he told me about how special this movie is for him. It can definitely impact people who may have lost the Christmas spirit and remind them what Christmas is all about -- having a great time during the holidays with their families. Just like the Queen of Hearts who has lost her faith in the holidays and developed a large hatred for them is helped by St. Nick who allows her to feel better and lose her bitterness.

This film reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and allows viewers to become immersed in the happiness and fun of Christmas.

I give The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It is streaming now on Hulu. By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST!

A lovely Christmas film with charming characters, beautiful artwork (that felt very nostalgic the snowman-esq to me which I loved) and well written, catchy songs which are now the sound track to any journey we make in the car. Wonderfully cast with loveable characters. An interesting story with "Alice in Wonderland" quirks, twists and turns and, ofcourse, a classic Christmas redemption story. Contrary to other reviews I have seen, I found the length to the film no issue with my 5 year old who was glued to the story from start to finish. A great feel good family Christmas film I am sure we will come back to time and again.

It is a mashup of Christmas Santa and Alice in Wonderland. St. Nick (Gerard Butler) reads a delayed letter from The Princess of Hearts. He goes to Wonderland and finds The Queen of Hearts (Emilia Clarke) had outlawed Christmas.

It is an expired IP. Somebody thought it would cost nothing. This works better if it doesn't play its hand right off the bat. I wouldn't have guessed from the title that this is Alice in Wonderland. The reveal could be a fun shock to the viewer. Also there is only so much rhyming before it gets tiresome. I get the dialogue style and musical. It's not my favorite. I actually like the simple animation style which is a lot like children's book drawings. The big reveal should come closer to the climax. The climax should be the gift which should quickly lead to the lesson and wrap up. The last half takes too long. In fact, this is not really worth seventy minutes. It should probably be half that which would allow it to be played every year as a Christmas special.