How many of you
read the Click, Clack, MOO books? Now, how many of you knew Amazon produced an
animated Christmas special based on it? And how many of you expected it to drop
dead laughing from it? I’ve never seen a special this self-aware, while refusing
to do the stock self-aware jokes. I mean, how many times can we have
characters tear the movie in half but then proceed to live in the world of the
film and never mention the critiques again? Why am I asking so many questions?
In this movie, the
characters realize that their own situation lines up with the Christmas
specials they see on TV. To start, Duck wants Rabbit to tally his "nice" and "naughty" deeds and wants to participate in the main plot purely to bring his "nice" count
up so he’ll get presents. Not the first time I’ve seen a special go down the
road of selfish character helping out for the promise of reward. However, I enjoyed
the different take this movie had because the characters recognized the
parallels in their story with the Christmas specials they watch, while also
self-reflecting to recognize their sins on their own. The film also avoids the stereotypical
liar revealed story (SCORE!).
It helps that the characters have off-the-wall obsessive
personalities and the special reeks of adults making jokes for adults while
maintaining a G rating. I don’t recall the last time I laughed this much with
no immature jokes or forced references. The comedy remains rooted in the world
and characters they create and gives lessons and spirit only in ways that feel
natural to themselves. All from a special where farm animals earn money to buy
the farmer a fancy Tumbletron 300 dryer that makes Farmer Brown’s eyes turn to
hearts. Highly recommend!
-Rozlynd
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