A cute little movie. It’s witty; somewhat gruesome yet also somewhat charming/sweet.
It’s not really my thing, for the most part…so I’d stop there.
But I can certainly understand how it could also be described as touching and even somewhat magical by fans.
This has such a wide audience because everyone from the most shallowly angsty to the most wistfully romantic can (potentially) feel all these things.
Like all Disney movies, the songs are annoying in their Basil Exposition qualities for adults, but the gruesomeness does mostly offset the traditional sappiness.
Like good Disney movies, this is simple and cute enough for children but smart enough for adults.
How so many people that like this can hate EVERY OTHER Disney movie is beyond me, since this IS a slight (goth/creepy/macabre/odd…take your pick) alteration on stock-Disney to create a modern-day ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’.
The message any non-idiot can take from this, if you pay any attention at all: insisting on gloom all the time is just as absurd as insisting on smiles all the time. I mean, Skellington himself marvels at the stupidity of his minions in their failure to understand how anything worthwhile can NOT be negative.
The yearning for escape from enforced drudgery into freedom/happiness is pretty obvious, too. But Sally points out that while that is a noble goal, to force one’s gloominess upon others (as Jack attempts) is just as wrong as to force one’s cheeriness upon others.
Or, as Jack simplifies for anyone that hasn’t gotten it yet: Leave gloom to the gloomy and cheer to the cheery. If they want to mix, fine…if they don’t…fine. It’s called free will.
For scumbags that enjoy this: It’s cuz only in fantasy can your fcked up dreams come true. And, like it or not, your life is longer than 1:16:08.
For non-scumbags that enjoy this: If anyone tries to tell you the ending isn’t truly romantic (and honestly hopeful)…don’t listen. Hope you read this, you know who…I hope.
Inspirational Quote: “How could I…be so blind?”
Grade: B
7/15/13: Dae Update – Hope unchanged, but moving on. WAIT…yes. WAIT…maybe…yes.