Coming Soon
Hollywood Studio Snowed In For Arthur Christmas Preview
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- Category: Coming Soon
- Published: Wednesday, 05 October 2011 22:13
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On Monday, Sony Pictures broke out the Christmas spirit early this year with a sneak peek at the 3D animated film ARTHUR CHRISTMAS. To set the mood, the Hollywood studio shipped in real snow and provided other family-friendly activities on the Culver City lot.
Sony kicked off the event in Los Angeles with a preview of the first 30 minutes of ARTHUR CHRISTMAS. We are introduced to Arthur who lives the spirit of Christmas in his every day life but due to his clumsiness
and lack of focus he has been relegated to the letter department. Arthur's job is to read every letter addressed to Santa and he often sends handwritten replies. He gets deeply involved with these children's lives and dreams and can be very excited when he wants to grant a special request. It is now Christmas eve and Steve's command of highly trained elves are dispatched to deliver presents all throughout in the world. But through a small error, one present is left behind. When Arthur discovers it he is disappointed that his father and brother are not as concerned about it as he is. In an effort to save one child's Christmas Arthur and his grandfather set out to make things right, and that's where our preview ended.
If you have ever wondered how Santa gets presents delivered all around the world in a single night and why a little girl named Gwen can’t seem to locate his workshop on Google Earth, then this is the film that explains it all.
ARTHUR CHRISTMAS is a co-production between Sony Animation and Aardman, the people behind Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit. Together they are creating a timeless story using 3-D CG computer graphics while capturing the look and charm of Aardman’s previous films. It features the voice talents of James McAvoy as Arthur, Hugh Laurie as Arthur’s big brother Steve, and Jim Broadbent as Santa the twentieth who is set to retire soon. Also included are Bill Nighy as GrandSanta who did things the old-fashioned way, Ashley Jensen as Bryony a master elf at gift wrapping and Imelda Staunton as Mrs. Claus who keeps the family together.
While Sarah Smith, director and co-writer of ARTHUR CHRISTMAS, is off in England putting the finishing touches on their new animated film, friends and family in California were treated to real snow, holiday goodies such as cookie decorating, balloon animals and holiday photos after the sneak peak.
ARTHUR CHRISTMAS shows a tremendous amount of fun and imagination. I love how the Christmas motifs are integrated into the production design. Everything from a Christmas tree shaped beard to the way that the office is set up where all the elves' desks are arranged to resemble a giant tree. I also like that fact that it is modern with Gwen using Google Earth to find Santa, but still has the old fashion touches such as family board game night. A lot of thought and love went into this production. They might just have a winner on their hands.
ARTHUR CHRISTMAS is in movie theatres Thanksgiving weekend - November 23, 2011.
