Am very much familiar with Yoram Gross' animation work, and mostly like it very much (though to me 'The Magic Riddle' hasn't held up and didn't do much for me). Particularly the Dot films, well all but one ('Dot in Space), with the best being 'Dot and the Smugglers', 'Dot and the Whale' and 'Dot and the Kangaroo'.
While finding it uneven (like in the animation and the story), the 1992 'Blinky Bill' film was still decent, worthwhile, well-intended and with its heart in the right place. 'Blinky Bill's White Christmas', seeing it on a very old VHS some while back back when videos were still in fashion courtesy of an Australian friend (no longer in contact sadly) who grew up on Blinky Bill (but my memories of it are very vivid), is an improvement and a lovely effort in its own right.
One improvement is the animation. It is bright and colourful, as well as very detailed in the backgrounds and much smoother. The music, like in the very touching intro, is energetically whimsical and heartfelt, much better quality of music and not feeling pointless.
Loved the story to 'Blinky Bill's White Christmas' as well. The Christmas spirit is evoked with a lot of charm and heart as well as an emotional poignancy, it's also without being too cute or mawkish. The dialogue has some amusing comedic moments, really warms the heart and touches the soul, nothing awkward or cheesy at all. The messaging is sincere and handled sensitively.
All the characters are adorable and very likable and the voice acting is good with the voice actors fitting the characters. There is not much to complain about, perhaps the pace could have tightened slightly and the title is somewhat odd, leave out the word white and the title would have been much more apt (probably wanted to make it less generic).
To conclude, lovely. 9/10 Bethany Cox
