The Flight Before Christmas (2008)

A young reindeer who suffers from vertigo learns to overcome his fear, takes flying lessons from a clumsy flying squirrel and heads to the North pole to save a troubled Santa and his fleet of flying reindeer.

Directors:

Michael Hegner, Kari Juusonen

Writers:

Hannu Tuomainen, Marteinn Thorisson

Stars:

Olli Jantunen, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Vuokko Hovatta

5 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Olli Jantunen	...	Niko (voice)
Hannu-Pekka Björkman	...	Julius (voice)
Vuokko Hovatta	...	Wilma (voice)
Vesa Vierikko	...	Musta Susi (voice)
Jussi Lampi	...	Räyskä (voice)
Risto Kaskilahti	...	Rimppa / Uljas (voice)
Minttu Mustakallio	...	Essie (voice)
Juha Veijonen	...	Raavas (voice)
Puntti Valtonen	...	Hirvas (voice)
Elina Knihtilä	...	Oona (voice)
Juulia Rönkkö	...	Saaga (voice)
Tommi Korpela	...	Porolauman johtaja (voice)
Aarre Karén	...	Isoisä (voice)
Arttu Hämäläinen	...	Poropoika 1 (voice)
Ilmari Huhtala	...	Poropoika 2 (voice)

Storyline

A reindeer boy named Niko dreams about flying like his father, whom he has never met. Despite constant mocking from others, he sneaks out of his home valley to take flying lessons from Julius, a flying squirrel.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | winter | flying | search for father | computer animation | 

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Taglines:

An all-new holiday movie about Santa and his little helpers!

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was the first voice acting role for Finnish actor Hannu-Pekka Björkman.

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Goofs

When Wilma and Julius use an old log to block the river flow, Julius jumps on it in search of Niko, but suddenly an ice block hits the log, causing him to lose his balance. As soon as the shot changes, Julius's left hand penetrates into the trunk.

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Quotes

Niko: You didn't want me to come here.
Julius: Of course i did.
Niko: You didn't want me to find dad.
Julius: Niko...
Niko: You didn't want me to fly.
Julius: Lower your voice!
Wilma: [worried] Guys...
Niko: [gets upset] You ruined everything!
Julius: I forbid you to...
Niko: [interrupting] You can't forbid me anything! You're not my dad!

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits: 21.858 liters of beer were consumed during the making of this movie!

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Alternate Versions

Alternate version spoken in Danish.

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Connections

Followed by Little Brother, Big Trouble: A Christmas Adventure (2012)

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Soundtracks

Kaipaan sua
Written by Kieran McEvoy
Finnish lyrics by Annamari Metsävainio
Performed by Vuokko Hovatta

User Reviews

Great Movie

This is excellent movie. This film tells us about dream. Especially, how great it is to have a dream that you want so badly. And, I think it's great to have a super father that can make you dream higher to be in the future. This film also speaks not to give up your dream even though there are many obstacles. And it also speaks that you don't live by yourself in this world. I do catch the Christmas spirit (though I never celebrate it anyway). It's that Christmas will be so much wonderful day ever when we spend it with people who love us and we love them back as well. In the end, this movie "Niko & The Way to The Stars" is really great after all. Worthwatching!

Details

Official Sites:

Bac Films [France] MG Film [Croatia]

Country:

Finland Denmark Germany Ireland

Language:

English Finnish

Release Date:

10 October 2008 (Finland)

Also Known As:

The Flight Before Christmas

Filming Locations:

Finland

Box Office

Budget:

EUR6,100,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$21,897,141

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinemaker Oy, Anima Vitae, A. Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1