This Christmas Special is not without its obvious faults. There are segments which just aren't animated. Instead of animating it will just be still images that cross dissolve to others while the narrator fills in the gaps. (Sidebar: how did this show get Christopher Plummer to be in this show?) The special seems to struggle to fill up enough content to last the 20-minute runtime. There is one overly catchy song, and another one that is overly sappy.
So why do I rank this Christmas special so high? Well, the genuine enthusiasm, sincerity and sweetness of it just charmed all the humbug out of me. The story centers around all the girls at the...nunnery? Orphanage? Boarding School? Anyways all the girls and the headmaster get sick and Madeline as the only healthy one in the house has to take care of them. This simple premise is surprisingly relatable. Around Christmas time, with the changing weather, it feels like everybody gets sick. What I found admirable, is how Madeline took on the responsibility of caregiver when everyone else was sick. And despite all the frustration, we never see Madeline complain. She is always just concerned with the welfare of her friends.
Eventually Madeline's efforts are rewarded with a pseudo fairy godmother arriving and helping her in the caregiving. Unlike Cinderella, Madeline does continue to help along with the godmother. I love what a positive attitude Madeline maintains throughout the story. This helps audience members realize how lucky they are around the holidays by seeing how happy Madeline in her circumstances. As things come together in the third act, yes things are cheesy, but it is all the right kind of cheese. It is so sweet and charming; you can't help by audibly say "guawwww".
The animation may be limited, but this goes down as one of the best animated Christmas Specials ever...and that's all there is...there isn't anymore.
So why do I rank this Christmas special so high? Well, the genuine enthusiasm, sincerity and sweetness of it just charmed all the humbug out of me. The story centers around all the girls at the...nunnery? Orphanage? Boarding School? Anyways all the girls and the headmaster get sick and Madeline as the only healthy one in the house has to take care of them. This simple premise is surprisingly relatable. Around Christmas time, with the changing weather, it feels like everybody gets sick. What I found admirable, is how Madeline took on the responsibility of caregiver when everyone else was sick. And despite all the frustration, we never see Madeline complain. She is always just concerned with the welfare of her friends.
Eventually Madeline's efforts are rewarded with a pseudo fairy godmother arriving and helping her in the caregiving. Unlike Cinderella, Madeline does continue to help along with the godmother. I love what a positive attitude Madeline maintains throughout the story. This helps audience members realize how lucky they are around the holidays by seeing how happy Madeline in her circumstances. As things come together in the third act, yes things are cheesy, but it is all the right kind of cheese. It is so sweet and charming; you can't help by audibly say "guawwww".
The animation may be limited, but this goes down as one of the best animated Christmas Specials ever...and that's all there is...there isn't anymore.
