The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D [PG]

Voice Talent: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens.

I never went trick or treating as a child or really did much of anything for Halloween, but I liked this movie enormously the first time it was released in 1993 and more so in 3-D. Tim Burton remains a talented writer and director and this film fits right in with his others, such as "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure," "Beetlejuice," "Batman" and "Edward Scissorhands," They are all nonconformist as well as strange and wonderful.

In this film, there is competition between Halloweentown and Christmastown. The Pumpkin King is called Jack Skellington and uses the voice of Chris Sarandon to speak and Danny Elfman to sing. He is bored and plots to steal Christmas like the Grinch. He kidnaps Santa Claus, despite the warning of the rag doll Sally (voiced by Catherine O'Hara of the old 2nd City). Jack disguises himself as Santa, but his gift giving isn't much appreciated by the people: tree-eating snakes, shrunken heads, toy ducks filled with bullet holes all scare their recipients. Jack does not understand their reactions. He is not loved and not happy. He'd rather be bored. In the end, the evil Oogie Boogie insect thingy tries to ruin everything and Jack releases Santa and the Christmas Holiday back to the world. He has been misunderstood, but no longer. He has saved Christmas.

Tim Burton's animation is fun to watch. The stop-motion animated film grabs your attention and keeps it with its quirks and effects. Danny Elfman's songs and the Burton characters are enjoyable for children and adults alike. One of my favorite scenes occurs when a small mad scientist opens his skull to scratch his brain in thought. This makes me laugh so much that I miss several scenes afterward and must go back again and again. The mayor that literally has two faces is fascinating as well as funny and weird.

I also like the music in Nightmare before Christmas. The quartet of Draculas singing in harmony is another feature that makes me laugh. The 3D effects add to all the fun - I love 3-D glasses. This film should be seen every year, along with It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Read the great review for concerned parents by Kids in Mind.