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13 out of 13 people found the following review useful: Christmas Movies,...what the World needs., 21 December 2004 Author: toxiemite from Melbourne, Australia
With so much war and moral decay in this world at present time, Christmas has become my favourite time of the year. Not just because it's a festive season and colourful... but because its a time that represents innocence and goodness in people. We need Christmas all year round, it might make the world a better place.And that's why I am a sucker for Christmas movies so much. At the core, I am a die hard horror nut and general cinema lover all round... but one thing I cannot get enough of is an original and off-beat Christmas movie. Over the years there's been some gems like: 8 Crazy Nights, Nightmare Before Christmas, Santa Vs the Snowman, Christmas Vacation and The Grinch (to name only a few).While 'Olive the Reindeer' is a few years old now, I only saw it recently having heard many good things about it. It is a wonderful little film suitable for the entire family. The story is simple, sweet and subtley hilarious. One reviewer on IMDb said that Drew Barrymore dragged the movie down.... I can't disagree more. I thought she was delightful. She has child-like innocence in her voice that puts a believability into the Olive character. Not to mention that she Co-Produced this film so possibly without her involvement, Olive may not have been made (I don't know!?).Anyhow, if you want a Festive movie for the kids and adults alike to enjoy.... rent Olive the other Reindeer. It's sure to amuse and entertain.
7 out of 7 people found the following review useful: GREAT FUN!, 31 December 1999 Author: Brian from USA
I loved this animated special on the FOX network. And Drew Barrymore just brought the main character to life. It's about a dog (Barrymore) who thinks she is a reindeer and goes on a quest to help Santa after one of the other reindeer can't. With the help of a little penguin named Martini, they accomplish their task while dodging the evil mailman who wants to stop Christmas. I hope this comes to video and DVD. I think it will be another instant classic like "How the Grinch Stole X-Mas" and "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer". 5 out of 5 stars! So if it is aired next Christmas, DON'T MISS IT!
5 out of 5 people found the following review useful: A Surprise Favorite, 10 December 2006 Author: cilardi from New York
My wife, 5-year-old daughter, and I ran across this special last year. Seeing Drew Barrymore's name gave me some pause, as she had recently flashed David Letterman while giving him a birthday dance, so I wondered if this special was actually going to be suitable for family viewing, and not some subversive story with a Christmas theme. Well, I definitely over-thought this one: "Olive" was absolutely wonderful, and unexpectedly charming (a very rare commodity these days). Her voice work was heartfelt, and a truly eclectic list of other voices, ranging from Joe Pantoliano to co-producer Michael Stipe (whose experience in cartoons includes his hilarious appearance on the funniest "Space Ghost" episode ever-#17, "Hungry") keeps this story light and humorous. The animation style was appropriate to the story and, apparently, to the source material (I have not yet seen the book). I recommend it!
5 out of 5 people found the following review useful: You will laugh, but you won't call Olive names., 25 December 2002 Author: Victor Field from London, England
One of the least accomplished episodes of "The Simpsons" was "Insane Clown Poppy," with Drew Barrymore as the voice of Krusty's illegitimate daughter Sophie. Happily, she and Matt Groening pre-emptively made up for this in 1999 with the charming "Olive, the Other Reindeer," which they executive produced, and which featured one of them (hint: not Matt) as the voice of the title character.When Santa Claus faces a crisis that may mean his deliveries won't get through, lovable dog Olive mishears him on the radio hoping to depend on "all of the other reindeer," and believing that Mr. Kringle is counting on her, she's off to the North Pole with the help of her penguin friend Martini, but with a conniving postman (!) out to stop her. Only Scrooge would not be rooting for Olive and Martini to succeed in the course of this special, not least with the warm and winning voice work (particularly Barrymore as our four-legged friend, Joe Pantoliano cast against type as good guy Martini, and Michael Stipe as one of Santa's reindeer - who has a very funny joke about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer).A good, heartwarming story with computer animation from DNA Productions that looks more traditionally cartoony than the norm, which is not a bad thing here; Drew also does her own singing, and it must be said that she won't be giving Alicia Keys a run for her money - but her scrappy enthusiasm on her numbers ("Merry Christmas After All" provides an oddly endearing blend of Miss Barrymore's slightly flat vocalising and the truly musical Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) only adds to the special's charm. Funny and non-sick-making, this is up there with Channel 4's adaptation of "Father Christmas" and some of Rankin/Bass's seasonal cartoons in the winner stakes; one to tape."Warp speed, captain!"
4 out of 4 people found the following review useful: A charmer. Deserves a long holiday-season life., 7 December 2002 Author: dick_d
If you've just noticed 1999's "Olive, the Other Reindeer" in your TV listings (as I did last night)and are checking it out on IMDb, I heartily recommend it. The script and characters do not ring any of the false notes that usually undo other Christmas fare. The cute story will keep kids interested, but is peppered with references and visual gags for grownups.Drew Barrymore gives a plucky-not-sucky performance as Olive, and keeps her character's likability from turning sappy. Joe Pantoliano (Ralphie in "The Sopranos"!) as her shady-but-good-hearted sidekick Martini the penguin is a likeable Runyonesque pal. Michael "R.E.M" Stipe contributes a wry musical highlight in the bar scene. Dan "Homer" Castellaneta makes a fine villainous postman, and the other voice artists too numerous to mention here are also first-rate.The 2D-in-3D computerized animation is highly imaginative but not gimmicky."Olive" is as enjoyable as any holiday entertainment since "A Christmas Story". Like that film, word-of-mouth should keep "Olive" around for many Christmases to come.
3 out of 3 people found the following review useful: An underrated Christmas classic, 11 December 2002 Author: Chuck Rothman (crothman) from Schenectady, NY, USA
This has been somewhat overlooked, but it really is a terrific special. It's clever and witty (a characteristic that you don't see enough of these days). Olive is a dog, who thinks she can substitute for one of Santa's reindeer and save Christmas. The choice of villain is inspired -- a mailman who wants to stop Christmas so he won't have to deliver all the cards. Not a lot of big laughs, but it's filled with gentle smiles.The voice work is excellent, and the style is outstanding. There's little attempt to be "realistic," but rather it looks like a picture book (and seems to be sticking closely to the style of the original book).
6 out of 9 people found the following review useful: In a word, marvelous., 1 January 2001 Author: PhinePhriend
This show was absolutely hilarious. I sat there, watching it, laughing my rear off every three seconds. I regretted not recording it when it was on Fox. I can't even tell you how hilarious it was. Does it have schmaltz, you ask? that terrible plot ploy that has made several family films into absolute terrors to watch? Heck no! It's simply a funny, adroit film that should be on everyone's shelf. Watch it. 'Nuf said.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Cutest movie I've seen in quite awhile, 23 December 2001 Author: jandalco
I thought this movie was very cute. The author was clever with Olive's mistake but it turned into quite an adventure for her!! She's a good-hearted dog whose only concern was that she "do the right thing" and help wherever she could. It held my attention for the entire movie.
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Great holiday fun, 19 July 2000 Author: Op_Prime from Ardmore, PA
Olive, the Other Reindeer is a delightful holiday special that aired on Fox last winter. Drew Barrymore voices Olive the dog, who thinks she is a reindeer and goes on a quest to help Santa after one of reindeer can't. With the help of a Martini the penguin, they try to accomplish their task while dodging the evil mailman who wants to stop Christmas. It's a hilarious special and should be seen when ever possible. I have taped this animated special and have watched it regularly. To sum it up, it's great!
2 out of 2 people found the following review useful: Enchanting Christmas Movie, 23 January 2000 Author: Scout419 from Washington DC
This Christmas movie, is destined to be a wonderful Christmas classic. Olive the other Reindeer is a charming Christmas story with a bit of abstract modern animation that still manages to be very endearing and quite original compared to the very frequent re-hashings of Christmas type stories. I hope they release this movie on DVD or Video, I would certainly buy it. I hope this wonderful movie is aired again next year.
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