The Halloween Tree

Halloween has always been one of my most favorite times of year, ever since I was a kid. Now I'm 30, but I still love the holiday. You're never too old for Halloween... AND you're never too old for Halloween cartoons. Every year, I celebrate the holiday with watching "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown," "Garfield's Halloween Adventure," "Halloween is Grinch Night," several Simpsons "Treehouse of Horror" specials, "Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School," "Doug's Halloween Adventure," "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "The Halloween Tree." When I first decided to check it out, I thought it was going to be lame. Hanna-Barbera had really lost their touch by this time, and their cartoons would never be the same (the studio would have been dead by the end of 1994 if it weren't for their admittedly cool and creative "What a Cartoon" shorts from 1995-1997!) Now I'm glad I watched it. It has become a Halloween tradition of mine! True, it doesn't resemble your usual Hanna-Barbera cartoon in any way. Instead it feels more like Nelvana or Film Roman made it. (From what I read, Ray Bradbury wanted his animator friend Chuck Jones to bring it to life. I think a Chuck Jones version would have been even better!) But regardless, it's still fun. It helped me understand several Halloween origins and customs, and can be a bit creepy at times. Perfect! Leonard Nimoy does a great job voicing Mr. Moundshround, and Ray Bradbury does an equally great job narrating his story. The animation, like I said, isn't the usual Hanna-Barbera style you would expect. It's not totally perfect, but is still pretty good for a 1990s animated TV special, at times up to par with Walt Disney Television Animation's stuff of the time (then again, bad animation became increasingly rare in the 1990s, with a few exceptions like H-B's poorly-animated "Arabian Nights" TV movie from 1994!) John Debney's music is also really good, especially the haunting opening theme, though it does get a bit Disney-esque at times (there were times in the 1990s when H-B felt they needed to mimic Disney!) I'm watching it as I type this review, and it's helping put me in the Halloween mood more. "Oh my gosh!" look at the time. "Ready, set, go!"

A film was made from a superior book. Those who enjoy the Hallowe'en holiday often not have much of an idea of its roots, and Ray Bradbury turns a sympathetic eye towards various Hallowe'en traditions.

That the film is an animated one suggests rather strongly that it was aimed squarely at the younger set, but the cartoon medium allows a certain chaotic underpinning that facilitates transitions in time and space.

Children going out to Trick Or Treat, less one member of the gang, known as Pipkin. A house they visit looks very spooky, and has in its yard a tree festooned with Jack O'Lanterns. The person whom they meet is the mysterious Mr. Moundshroud. The strange grownup introduces them to various Hallowe'en traditions, taking them on trips through time and space. This is magical, but not spooky in the scary sense.

The fate of Pipkin is bound up in this, as the children learn. They also get a thorough grounding on many aspects of Hallowe'en, as do the viewers.

A good film for the season.

This was a lovely animated holiday special. They don't make very many Halloween specials anymore. It's as if American society wants to let it die, which is a real shame because Halloween is my favourite holiday. I absolutely love this movie. It was made in 1993 but it has a feel to it that makes it seem far older. It just has an old fashioned quality to it that I find strangely comforting.

It's based on the story by Ray Bradbury, author of The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenhiet 451 and he even narrates it, which I love. Bradbury is one of my favourite authors. Sure this film has a few slightly dark moments but it's actually very educational and at the same time heart warming.

A truly wonderful animation following the exploits of four children who learn the true meanings and reasons we celebrate Halloween as they travel through time to learn why we celebrate All Hallows Eve (Halloween). Dressed as a Skeleton a Witch a Mummy And a Werewolf the Children race through time and different cultures to save their friend from the grip of the Evil yet wonderfully portrayed Mr Moundshroud! Leanord Nimoy (Spock from Star Trek) is Excellent at portraying the role or Mr Moundshroud. A must for the whole family as it is as educational for the Children as it is heart warming for the Child in us all.

Ray Bradbury's cartoon adaptation of his own celebrated book is exquisite, and makes an excellent Halloween treat for kids & adults alike. The are many changes from the book, most notably in the creation of the strong female character of Jenny,(In Bradbury's original work there were many more children characters and they were all boys, boys who for the most part hated girls.) but when you watch the film all of these enhancements and modern additions not only fit but make it include a much larger audience. None of the changes feel forced. And with Ray Bradbury not only writing but narrating, this is a treasure not to pass up. It's value, as an educational tool for cultural diversity, can't be denied. The imagery is thrilling and beautiful as you travel around the world learning how Halloween came to be and how this very popular holiday was and is celebrated. Leonard Nimoy gives an outstanding performance as the spooky, and eccentric tour guide, Moundshroud. But most importantly this movie is fun. The story and animation are rich and lush and it's easy to see why this scary delight is a seasonal favorite and a must have in many households. Mine included.