Review written by Christian Garcia
On the 9th Day of Christmas, good CG gave to me: the most important Reindeer of All!!!
Background:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is the most famous of the Rankin/Bass films and is a timeless holiday classic that created another holiday icon and was also influential on future Christmas specials.
I remember watching this film for the first time in elementary school and falling in love with it instantly. It is the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Christmas and Christmas specials, and it has held a special place in my heart as a result.
My Thoughts:
A big reason that this film is so influential is because it created the design of the North Pole that most people think of. As I said before, when I think of Christmas and the North Pole, my mind immediately thinks of the North Pole from this film. Although it is simple in design, it is an iconic design that has become synonymous with the North Pole. Even the film Elf took inspiration from it and purposely designed the North Pole to look as it did in Rudolph. Director Jon Favreau said it was because he knew that when people thought of the North Pole, they would think of Rudolph. Many other shows and films have taken design inspirations from this film and for that alone, this film will last as a timeless classic.
While the Rankin/Bass animation style has not aged well, Rudolph still looks pretty good for what it is. Yes, it is still cheap looking but there is still a charm to it. The characters thankfully don’t give any creepy facial expressions like in Santa Claus is Comin to Town and I love the designs of Santa and the Elves. They created the template that other specials and films would follow and are a prime example of how simplicity always works. I also love the design of the Abominable Snow Monster as he is very scary and I remember him terrifying me as a kid.
Watching it again, I forgot how much I enjoy most of the songs in this film. When I was watching it with my friends, I was shocked to realize how much I remembered with songs like “There’s Always Tomorrow” and “We’re a Couple of Misfits.” And of course, there is the classic song, “Holly Jolly Christmas” that became a classic because of this film. Almost every song fits aside from the song “Silver and Gold” which feels like more like an excuse to give singer Burl Ives another song. Also like Santa Claus is Comin to Town, the Rankin/Bass team really knew how to create chilling music that would make a child hide under their blanket. I find their scary scores to be a notable trait that all of their films carry and appreciate for creating suspense and fear.
While the setting makes this film feel timeless, the story sadly is where the film’s age really begins to show. Having recently watched the film again with my friends and girlfriend, the story does come off mean-spirited. Especially in today’s culture, the mean-spirited nature of this film can be very off-putting. My girlfriend walked away disliking the movie because it was too mean. While I understand the message, they were trying to get across of Rudolph overcoming the ridicule and hate and rising above it, it is hard to not get angry at everyone else just for how mean they all are, even Santa is harsh on poor Rudolph and comes off like a dick.
Another moment that shows this film’s age is when Rudolph’s mother wants to go search for him, but his father tells her to stay behind because “this is man’s work.” Given that this film was made in the 60’s, it is easy to see that it is reflective of the chauvinistic culture that existed during that time. It was not okay back then and it is not okay now.
Honestly, in a time where everything is being remade and reimagined, Rudolph is a film that could benefit from a reimagining. Personally, I would try to make it less mean-spirited but at the same time does not make it too safe and nice either. I do believe there is a place to showcase how bullying can affect someone and shape them in a way that doesn’t encourage bullying but rather encourages one to stand up for themselves. I think with the right people at the helm, it could be done well.
Despite the flaws in the story, Rudolph, and his friends Hermie are still likable heroes that are charming enough to save the film. Yukon Cosrnelius is a lovably insane character. Watching him again had me howling with laughter at just how batshit insane he could be at times. What also saves the film for me is that it has that whimsical Christmassy feel to it. Given that this film is where a lot of iconic images of Christmas and the North Pole originated, it is no surprise that the atmosphere just screams Christmas. The atmosphere and likable heroes keep me coming back to this film and I still find a charm in all these years later.
Conclusion:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is still a timeless classic that screams Christmas. Although its story is bogged down by a mean-spirited attitude, there is still that Christmassy charm that keeps me coming back to it every year. It is far from a perfect film in terms of tone and technology, but I still find a quality in it simplicity. I think another reason I still have such a soft spot for this film is because it is the film that made me fall in love with Christmas specials and it takes me back to that feeling of excitement that came around the holidays of my childhood. Maybe it is nostalgia goggles, but I still have an appreciation to this film for making me fall in love with Christmas that much more. Although the message is told in a mean-spirited way, I do think the moral of overcoming the bullying and ridicule of others is still an important lesson for kids to learn and while it is not told the best way here, I do think this film is still worth checking out in hopes that it helps them fall in love with the holiday spirit just like I did.
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