Netflix Just Dropped Best Christmas Animated Movie From Love Actually Creator
It is not a masterpiece like Klaus, but it will manage to make a winter night feel special.
Netflix has released a family-friendly animated film from Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis called That Christmas. This kind and relatable story will help everyone get into the festive spirit and have a pleasant evening.
But has the studio managed to create another masterpiece like Klaus?
What Is That Christmas About?
The people of the small English town of Wellington-on-Sea are preparing for Christmas. But an unexpected blizzard disrupts everyone's plans. School is cancelled, and the only ferry that connects the town to the rest of the world is out of service.
Shy Danny, who is in love with his classmate Sam, is left alone for Christmas – his father cannot make it to the island, and his mother has to replace a colleague at work. The boy spends the day with the teacher Mrs. Trapper. A group of children are left without the supervision of their elders, while their parents are stuck between towns in a broken-down van.
Twin sisters Sam and Charlie, similar in appearance but very different in character, cannot understand if Santa is coming to them. And Santa himself is determined to get to the island to deliver presents to the children, even if it proves to be difficult.
That Christmas Is Made by Famous Professionals
A rather famous team worked on the new animated gift for children and their parents. The director was Simon Otto, known for the project Love Death + Robots. The script was written by Richard Curtis, whose Love Actually is still on the list of most watched movies at Christmas.
The official soundtrack was recorded by Ed Sheeran, and the graphics were created by Netflix Animation and Locksmith Animation. The latter is known for its debut and so far only animated film besides That Christmas, Ron's Gone Wrong.
There are no complaints about the quality of the visuals – the movie is made according to all modern standards of computer animation. Colorful views of a fictional British town, various characters, cute animals.
That Christmas' Plot Is Too Confusing
But the plot may raise questions. Since the story focuses on several families, both adults and children, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of everyone and, above all, to remember who is what in relation to whom.
Danny is in love with Sam, and Sam is afraid that Santa won't come to them because of her sister Charlie. Charlie, who everyone sees as a bully, turns out to be a really kind soul who is willing to do a lot for her loved ones.
Schoolteacher Mrs. Trapper is only tough on the outside, but in reality she is a very lonely woman. Santa has lost all of his reindeer, but feels compelled to come to Wellington-on-Sea. And that's only half of the storylines.
That Christmas can please the audience, but it loses to Klaus because of a rather confusing plot. Still, it is a cozy and life-affirming work for the whole family, perfect for watching on a cold winter's night.