Toonhound - Arthur Christmas (2011)

    "Two billion presents delivered in one night ..."

    It's Christmas eve and Santa's great annual mission is under way, to deliver
    toys and presents to the millions of children around the world. It's a huge
    undertaking, which is why he has an equally huge support team of elves and
    hi-tech gadgetry in place at his secret base beneath the North Pole. It's akin to
    NASA launch control, and it's all micro-managed by his oldest son Steve and his
    elfin assistant Peter. Santa's youngest son is also on hand, but Arthur
    Christmas is a sweater-clad dreamer who's been steered to backroom
    duties. He answers the letters sent to his father by the boys and girls of the
    world, and though he's a fervent fan of the festivities, there's little hope of him
    ever taking up the famous red cloak. That's until one small present - a bicycle
    for little Gwen - goes missing en route.

   "Arthur Christmas" is Aardman Animations' fourth feature-length film. It's their
second CG-feature (after Flushed Away) and their first co-production with Sony
    Pictures Animation. The $100m project was first announced in 2007, and
    originally titled "Operation Rudolph". Pre-production commenced in the UK
    before the team moved to Sony's Culver City facility for a further eighteen
    months.

    Sure, there's a hint of Prep and Landing about the film's initial concept, but this
    Christmas story has other priorities on its mind as it turns its spotlight on Santa's
    family, their legacy, and the modern meaning of Christmas. You see, it's just one
    present for Steve - one of two bilion, no less - and it's all-too easy to dismiss its
    loss as a teeny statistical blip. But that's not good enough for Arthur. It's vital that
    the magic of Christmas must be shared with every last child in the world, which is
    why he and doddering Grand-Santa embark on their own low-tech quest to deliver
    the missing present. But there are further twists and turns on the delivery route that
    exposes Grand-Santa's own misplaced enthusiasm, and reach right back to the
    heart of the family, to Santa himself...

    theatrical performance

    The film opened in the UK on November 11th, 2011...

    "Arthur Christmas" accrued $33m at the UK box office, and was the 10th highest
    grossing film of the year, taking more money than any other animated feature film
    released during those twelve months...

    Worldwide, the film has now taken a little over $147m...

    awards

    2012 Annie Awards - Best Voice in a Feature Production (Bill Nighy)
    2012 San Diego Film Critics Society - Best Animated Film

      principle credits

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					Arthur Christmas (2011) producers: Aardman Animations Sony Pictures Animation animation: CGI animation run time: 97mins
		"Two billion presents delivered in one night ..." It's Christmas eve and Santa's great annual mission is under way, to deliver toys and presents to the millions of children around the world. It's a huge undertaking, which is why he has an equally huge support team of elves and hi-tech gadgetry in place at his secret base beneath the North Pole. It's akin to NASA launch control, and it's all micro-managed by his oldest son Steve and his elfin assistant Peter. Santa's youngest son is also on hand, but Arthur Christmas is a sweater-clad dreamer who's been steered to backroom duties. He answers the letters sent to his father by the boys and girls of the world, and though he's a fervent fan of the festivities, there's little hope of him ever taking up the famous red cloak. That's until one small present - a bicycle for little Gwen - goes missing en route. "Arthur Christmas" is Aardman Animations' fourth feature-length film. It's their second CG-feature (after Flushed Away) and their first co-production with Sony Pictures Animation. The $100m project was first announced in 2007, and originally titled "Operation Rudolph". Pre-production commenced in the UK before the team moved to Sony's Culver City facility for a further eighteen months. Sure, there's a hint of Prep and Landing about the film's initial concept, but this Christmas story has other priorities on its mind as it turns its spotlight on Santa's family, their legacy, and the modern meaning of Christmas. You see, it's just one present for Steve - one of two bilion, no less - and it's all-too easy to dismiss its loss as a teeny statistical blip. But that's not good enough for Arthur. It's vital that the magic of Christmas must be shared with every last child in the world, which is why he and doddering Grand-Santa embark on their own low-tech quest to deliver the missing present. But there are further twists and turns on the delivery route that exposes Grand-Santa's own misplaced enthusiasm, and reach right back to the heart of the family, to Santa himself... theatrical performance The film opened in the UK on November 11th, 2011... "Arthur Christmas" accrued $33m at the UK box office, and was the 10th highest grossing film of the year, taking more money than any other animated feature film released during those twelve months... Worldwide, the film has now taken a little over $147m... awards 2012 Annie Awards - Best Voice in a Feature Production (Bill Nighy) 2012 San Diego Film Critics Society - Best Animated Film principle credits
			directors: producer: co-producer: executive producers: consulting producer: writers: music: cinematography: film editing: art directors: character designers: orthographics: color designer: production design: costume design: set design: prop designers: storyboard artists: head of story: senior story artist: character pipeline lead: senior animators: senior character animators: shading supervisor: layout supervisor: voices:	Sarah Smith, Barry Cook Steve Pegram Chris Juen Peter Lord, David Sproxton, Carla Shelley Osnat Shurer Sarah Smith, Peter Baynham Harry Gregson-Williams Jericca Cleland John Carnochan, James Cooper Olivier Adam (environment) Alexei Nechytaylo (shading) Tim Watts (characters) Peter DeSève, Buck Lewis, Barry Reynolds, Luis Grane Gregory Fangeaux Sergio Casas Evgeni Tomov Yves Barre Till Nowak Matthew Savage, Michael Shorten Paul Bolger, Jess Jackson, William Mata, Kris Pearn, Troy Quane, Helen Schroeder, Jean-Paul Vermeulen Donnie Long Adam Cootes Brian A Coffee Adam Cootes, Jean-Dominique Fievet, Aldo Gagliardi, Boris Heistand, Jeremy Lazare Wee Brian, Joel Foster, David Anthony Gibson, Andrew Lawson, Ryan Page, Tim Pixton John Monos David Morehead James McAvoy (Arthur) Hugh Laurie (Steve) Bill Nighy (Grandsanta) Jim Broadbent (Santa) Imelda Staunton (Mrs Santa) Ashley Jensen (Bryony) Marc Wootton (Peter) Laura Linney (North Pole Computer) Eva Longoria (Chief De Silva) Ramona Marquez (Gwen) Michael Palin (Ernie Clicker) Sanjeev Bhasker (Lead Elf) Robbie Coltrane (Lead Elf) Joan Cusack (Lead Elf) Rhys Darby (Lead Elf) Jane Horrocks (Lead Elf) Iain McKee (Lead Elf) Andy Serkis (Lead Elf) Dominic West (Lead Elf)
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