The Nightmare Before Christmas - Nostalgia Critic 

IT'S NOSTALGIAWEEN TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Animated by Kritken - ru-vid.com Music by Jayhan - ru-vid.com Follow us on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/channelawesome​

I feel like an idiot. I never noticed the mayor was literally a two-faced politician.

I think my favourite subtle scene after watching all these years is while Jack is contemplating the most complex ways to explain Christmas, Sally arrives to give him a gift out of kindness while he is struggling. In essence, she gets what Christmas is in its most honest form. Showing you care for someone during their most trying of times.

"There's no... hidden adult humour" "Jack, please, I'm only an elected official here, I can't make decisions by myself!"

My favourite part is when Jack opens his paper snowflake, and does a double take because he's made a perfect creepy spider when he cut without thinking. He's just naturally a spooky guy, it's like he can't help what he puts out there.

I always felt like that “I know..!” was Jack just kinda like “Yes yes, dead cats, can we just get to work!?”

It's not just that Lock, Shock, and Barrel's masks look exactly like their faces, it's also the fact that their real faces are even scarier than the masks.

For me the fight with Oogie Boogie didn't feel weak or unimportant. Jack easily dealing with all Oogie Boogies traps shows he's back in his right element and unlike his previous failures, this is something you don't beat him at.

When he says “curiosity killed the cat you know” and Jack says “I know” I don’t think it’s a weird line, I think it’s supposed to be a joke because they’re all dead.

Fun Fact: when you kept mentioning how Christmas encrouching on Halloween was ahead of its time, its actually the reason this story exists! Tim Burton said he was inspired by seeing a window display trying to edge out their Halloween decor with Christmas the day after Halloween ended

The final scene between Jack and Oogie has always been one of my favourite scenes in the entire film. How often do we get to see a final battle between hero and villain where the hero never has that cliche "looks-like-they're-about-to-fail-but-then-wins-by-some-miraculous-feat" moment? Jack never falters, never struggles, and remains confident the entire time. He just straight up murders Oogie. For most of the film, Jack is revered and respected by the townsfolk, and this one scene makes it very plain and simple as to why. He can go from walking like a gentleman to crawling like a spider in a heartbeat. Bonus points for none of that hero's remorse we also often see, where they sometimes toss up whether or not to kill a villain. Jack just gets it done.

I always liked the line: “How dare you treat my friends so shamefully!”

Jack is the greatest Disney princess, complete with song lamenting how he has everything, but oh, if only he had something more...

Producer: “Is this a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie?” Writer: “Yes.”

And I say unto you: "Sadly the Devil has a restraining order on me, so I can't visit Halloween town. I tried to fight him on it, but he has all the lawyers."

Fun fact: in Italy Jack Skellington was entirely dubbed by Renato Zero, a hugely famous singer, and he did such an amazing job a lot of people in my country would choose his version of this movie's songs over the original one

I feel like there's definitely an implied rivalry between Jack and Oogie just from the way they address and react to each other.

Fun fact: Tim Burton wrote a three-page poem titled The Nightmare Before Christmas when he was a Disney animator in the early-1980s. Burton took inspiration from television specials of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) and the poem A Visit from St. Nicholas. On the 2008 Special Edition Blu-ray/DVD release, Christopher Lee narrates this poem with a new animated visual accompaniment.

Doc: You know curiousity killed the cat? Jack: I know. I killed it.

9:23 there’s actually a really interesting theory that Sally, being a reanimated corpse, was killed by humans for witchcraft (ya know, the psychic ability). She was supposedly dismembered, which is why all of her body parts fit and sew like a doll.

Fun fact: in the video game sequel, Oogie's Revenge, Chris Sarandon not only does Jack's speaking voice, but does his singing as well! He does a great job of it, too; sounds almost as good as Elfman in the film. Worth looking up the songs if you've never played the game. ^_^

It’s a shame we don’t hear “This is Halloween” on the radio all the time around this time of year! If Christmas can have several months to play all that music, why can’t we hear some of these on a satellite radio channel meant for Halloween songs?

When Nostalgiaween doesn’t start with Stephen King Time: “Somethings wrong, I can feel it”

Fun fact: Tim burton and Danny elfman actually worked on the songs for the nightmare before Christmas way before the script was even finished

It’s been confirmed on the Netflix show “Holiday movies that made us,” by the director and Elfman himself that originally Elfman was supposed to be the acting voice of Jack as well. Was recast due to the wooden delivery.

This Is Halloween should be October’s national anthem In all seriousness though, it actually is a really good song!

"This Is Halloween" is the definitive song I think of when the season approaches every year!!!

This one has a great message. Jack feels like he has an empty space and he's clearly depressed. In the end he realises the answer was within himself the whole time! He accepts himself, for better or worse. People come and go, times change. Theres only ONE person you have to grow old with and thats YOU. Theres nothing wrong with being who you are. Thats the message in my opinion.

The Oogie Boogie fight at the end was probably Disney’s input of retracting Jack as the actual villain. But I think Jack doing his best to make up for his mistakes work better of teaching a proper lesson than a big boss fight

When you realize that Sally is voiced by Kevin McCallister’s mom from Home Alone.

Fun fact: The only human adult faces shown in this movie are Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, a police officer, and a woman reading a book to elves in Christmas town, all others are only shown from the neck down.

"This is Halloween" "Wait, this is Christmas?" Missed opportunity. "It's a holiday clusterfuck..."

I thought Jack's, “I know” was just him being fucking sick of hearing that. It had definite talking to my mom vibes to me.

"I'm a cameo!" Chaplin is the best cast member.

19:34 And who could forget that line from Jack as it happens: “How dare you treat my friends so SHAMEFULLY!” 🎃

I like that Sally has the vision of a Christmastime-gone-wrong. She's a Frankenstein-esque-creature that is rebelling against her creator. The whole Halloween-Christmas-hybrid-idea is Jack's own Frankenstein creation that ultimately turns on its creator. It kinda works.

6:38 I would count the Mayor as hidden adult humor. He's a literal two-faced politician.

"Frog's breath will overpower any order." "Worm's wart!" I have seen this movie hundreds of times, how have I never realized that?

When I was younger, I was convinced that "Kidnap the Sandy Claws" was the reason this movie had the PG rating.

One of my favorite moments: "And what did Santa bring you, honey?" (Kid holds up a decapitated head) (Cue both parents screaming bloody murder!) XD Also, I LOVE what you did with the intro referencing Donald Duck's Trick or Treat cartoon! I know it's a short cartoon, but it would be awesome if you did a review on this one!!! ;3

Chris O'Niell: "Oh no it's the Nostalgiaween intro" - Kingdom Hearts 2 playthrough

The intro is an amazing reference to the Donald Duck cartoon “Trick or Treat”. Hits me right in the childhood

Sally is not really a "doll" she's more of a reanimated corpse (like Frankensteins monster) and technically a Golem It used to be traditional to tell scary ghost stories at Christmas time. And I would pay hallmark to bring that tradition back.

18:51 Right!!! There was no way he could have caught AND move them at that angle or that amount of time, and Jack shouldn’t be able to do the “draw me like one of your French skeletons” pose while on a downward decline

I feel a bit like Mrs. Potts. "After all these years, he's finally learned to love."

Thanks for having me back, guys! Happy halloween and a kickass job on the animated intro! And gosh, that does take me back to 5 years ago. I'm pretty sure my first gig with Channel Awesome was the introspective on Nightmare before Christmas, with the intro parodying Gravity Falls. Been ever grateful for the opportunity since then! Happy Halloween!

For the talent show, in high school, I sang, "Jack's Lament" and was so good, people kept thinking I was lip-synching.

I love Sally's song by Nina Hagen in German version, she just sounds so delicate and fragile! Simply beautiful

"I give ...five more years until people call that problematic." *eats orange and black popcorn:* Don't gave them ideas, Critic!

Lost my shit at “unexplained leg is the best kind of leg” 😂😂

I'm surprised he spent so much time talking about Jack having a different singing voice. It's quite common for singing voices to be dubbed, especially in animated movies.

Oogie Boogie is definitely one of my favorite Disney villains, such a fun design, voice and personality. And dammit, he’s got such a dang good song which is my favorite song in the movie.

13:47 to skip the nightmarish ads

My all-time favorite movie. Fun Fact: Originally, when Oogie Boogie got the cloth material ripped off, it was going to reveal Dr. Finklestein who admits that he made Sally to be his girlfriend, but she fell in love with Jack instead. This was obviously changed at some point, but I still think it's interesting.

Having the intro for this year's Nostalgiaween be a brilliant tribute to the Donald Duck cartoon Trick or Treat is quite amazing. Props all around for this one and having an NC review of one of my favorite Tim Burton movies is well deserved and quite unexpected to me. Looking forward to this year and hopefully the Scary Godmother sequel called The Revenge of Jimmy gets the NC treatment for Nostalgiaween too. Any year for it if not for this year. ^^

NC: The songs were great! They also weren't written to have a hit on the radio or anything... Phil Collins: *nervous sweating*

What if the one line was something like this. "Curiosity kill the cat you know. "I know. Zero always chases its ghost."

Honestly, Jack spends most of the movie being a moron, I think the third act Oogie fight is necessary not for the narrative but for the tone, to bring the whole thing around and give you some screen time where you can root for him as he's basically been the real villain the full movie he needs that moment where he can earn a little redemption. Otherwise Jack's Lament would be too trite as it's got a little of that idea of "Oh well, I scarred children for lifr, but at least I'm over my malaise!" Which is great for the comedy, but for the tone needs some kind of stakes for him to "make things right" I love Santa's anger in this movie. It's one of the many moments that help ground the story and keep it from going too far.

"What does any of this have to do with Jesus?" Why did that make me laugh so damn hard

I LOVE this movie. Have ever since it came out. Also I love Sally’s song cause it mixes well to the ending duet with Jack

I got to meet Chris Sarandon and Ken Paige at a con for a photo op. And there was a family in front of us that the dad was in a wheelchair. He was able to stand and walk for short periods. But when Chris saw him getting up, he immediately ran over and supported him and helped him to the center where both actors supported him. Truly an amazing moment to witness.

"I'm a cameo!" -Pure catto pumpkin, 2021

The songs are amazing. This is Halloween, Jack's Lament, Poor Jack and Oogie's song!

i allways heard the curiosity killed the cat part as: "i know" = "we were all there at the funeral my guy, let's not bring it up" or "i still remember how much money i lost on the multiple lives bet" or even "the cat lady witch is still complaining about you doc for what you did to it!"

Tim Burton has said the original poem was inspired after seeing Halloween merchandise display in a store being taken down and replaced by a Christmas display. The juxtaposition of ghouls and goblins with Santa and his reindeer sparked his imagination. In 2001, Walt Disney Pictures began to consider producing a sequel, but rather than using stop motion, Disney wanted to use computer animation. Tim Burton convinced Disney to drop the idea. "I was always very protective of [Nightmare] not to do sequels or things of that kind," Burton explained. "You know, 'Jack visits Thanksgiving world' or other kinds of things just because I felt the movie had a purity to it and the people that like it." It is stated in "The Making of..." book that the most difficult shot to film in the entire movie is the shot in which Jack is reaching for the doorknob to Christmasland. Viewers can see the perfect surround reflection of the forest around Jack in the background. Zero's nose is actually a tiny glowing jack-o'-lantern. The reason it's Sally's left arm that detaches after she jumps out the window is because her right arm was more recently stitched up, making it more secure to her body. Some of the presents Jack delivers to the kids are nods to Tim Burton films. The snake looks like a Sandworm from Beetlejuice (1988), and the shrunken head is from the afterlife waiting room in the same film. The Cat and Duck are both featured in Batman Returns (1992) - the Cat as the mascot for Shreck's department store, the duck resembling a vehicle driven by the Penguin. Oogie Boogey is reminiscent of the Boogeyman concept and old phrase "don't let the bed bugs bite" since Oogie is a pun on the Boogeyman and is composed of bugs. Jack breaks off one of his own rib bones for Zero to fetch. In 2013, Catherine O'Hara participated in "Danny Elfman's Music from the Films of Tim Burton" to perform "Sally's Song" from this film. She received a standing ovation when she entered the stage, as well as when she left. The character of Dr. Finklestein is listed only as "Evil Scientist" in the cast credits. This is the first stop-motion animated film to be rated PG by the MPAA. In the first few seconds after the title is shown, you can see that there are actually 7 Holiday Doors. Going counter clockwise, the doors are: A Pumpkin (for Halloween), A decorated Christmas Tree (for Christmas), A turkey (for Thanksgiving), A brightly colored egg (for Easter), a green four leafed clover (for St. Patrick's Day), a red heart (for Valentines Day), and a red and white and blue firework that can only be seen at the very beginning for just a few seconds. This door could be for American Independence Day or British Bonfire Night. Marilyn Manson did a cover of the song "This Is Halloween." Despite being considered a villain by many fans, Tim Burton himself does not consider Oogie Boogie evil. Nevertheless, Oogie is still marketed as a villain and is considered one due to his heinous actions against Santa, Sally and Jack throughout the movie. Jack's doorbell is a nod to a similar contraption in the Addams Family original TV series. The bathtub has human feet. Chris Sarandon was cast as Jack Skellington because his speaking voice matched the singing voice of Danny Elfman.

16:46 "Sally's Song is the weakest of the musical numbers." *OH NO HE DIDN'T*

I’m liking the expansion to more positive nostalgia. It lets us look at movies that were really great and we just want that chance to remember them. Thanks for doing a great review, looking forward to the next ones!

I kinda thought the moral of this was like the quote from Nelson Mandela: "I _never_ lose. I either win or I _learn."_ Jack wasn't successful playing Santa Claus in the real world and he did endanger himself, Zero, Sally and Santa, but he never endangered the citizens of Halloweentown nor do the citizens abandon him when learning he wants to celebrate and spread Christmas, he's still a hero and a valued citizen to them and he recognizes Sally's feelings and reciprocates them, he _learns_ to pay attention to other's thoughts. He even says that the Christmas fiasco gave him new ideas for next Halloween.

The simple dialogue in this movie must be why it's one of the most organically worked in worlds for Kingdom Hearts, as the dialogue in those games can be kind of cringy and simplistic

Honestly, with Sally’s Song, I MUCH prefer the cover version by Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee. It’s SUCH a fantastic cover that I recommend any Evanescence fan or Nightmare Before Christmas fan to listen to. Believe me, you won’t regret it at all.

I think Christmas decorations going up before Halloween is Santa's revenge on Jack. "Let's see how YOU like having your holiday hijacked! Ho-ho-ho!"

Can we just appreciate how catchy the nostalgia-ween intro song is

19:30 Also made for a really fun and creative Boss fight in Kingdom Hearts. Funny enough, that was my introduction to the Nightmare Before Christmas. Up till then, I had only heard about the movie in passing but afterwards I did everything I could to track down the VHS. (Really crazy to think that I still had a VHS player at the time of the PS2 era.) Ended up finding it at a rental store and it became an absolute favorite of mine and a tradition to watch it every Halloween.

My favorite, most remembered song is the second one. Jack’s woes. I love to sing it. I almost have it memorized. Something I find funny is how pathetically dependent the town was on jack. And the mayor was such a useless yes man. “Jack please! I’m only an elected official, I can’t make decisions by myself!”

Trivia: Santa Claus was intended to be voiced by Vincent Price who was too depressed by his wife's death.

@Channel Awesome 4:51 “I didn’t make you to beat my head I made you to- wait” that really made me laugh. Keep up the amazing Nostalgia Critic review videos

I have to admit: Jack with closed eyes was one of the most frightening things of my childhood. I mean... these are empty eye sockets, they are not supposed to be closed like eyelids! Anyway, the review is awesome, thank you!

“I didn’t make you to beat my head, I made you to-wait.” The Doctor’s my favourite character and I honest to god lost it there 😭🤣

Honestly, Oogie Boogie works as a better and more developed villain in Kingdom Hearts over this movie

I love Sally’s song, not only because of the melody, but also its lyrics. It touches my mind.

It's this and _Corpse Bride_ which are my top Burton movies. The "Sing Along" Blu Ray was the best purchase I made for all the extras including Sir Christopher Lee reading the poem which inspired this wonderful flick. Nobody would've done that better than him. Rest in Peace, you magnificent man.

I absolutely loved Sally's Song, but I have to admit that I listen to the version in the soundtrack that was done by Amy Lee, it's just beyond fitting for her to sing given she's the lead singer for Evanescence

After all these years, you finally decided to review this movie. For as long as I live, I shall look back on this day knowing my prayers have been answered. Thank you, Doug.

I’d say Sally’s song is of equal footing of “this is Halloween”

"Curiosity killed the cat, you know" "I KNOW!" I assumed this exchange was because Jack is personally familiar with the proverbial cat... who is now a zombie and just will not shut up about how he died.

No way! Excited to see what this review, and all of Nostalgiaween has in store. The intro is amazing also!

If some of you actually owned the GBA Version; Oogie himself actually did have a motivation and that Is to create his own bug-theme holiday and wants the other out of commission for his to take over for himself. But If you still want him to shine again; then just play Oogie's revenge Instead!

10:06 well... Tim Burton had the idea because of that reason...

I loved this movie SOO much as a kid, its still strange for me to see others talking about it.

I wasn't expecting this this Nostalgiaween. This was a great start to the season! 15:17 - 15:24 I actually met Greg Proops a few years ago. He was recording his podcast in my city. Really nice guy!

I remember watching this in the theaters when it first came out. I was 7. I went with a couple of aunts and cousins. I still remember the 90s chic, neon light decor of the place - there was a tunnel of green and purple lights leading to each screen room. There were life-sized cardboard cutouts of the characters and souvenirs for sale at the concession stands. And I remember being blown away by this movie as a kid, and my cousins and I screeched in that annoying way kids do when they're excited about something and hopping up and down. I still love this movie. There's better stop motion films out there with more engaging dialogue and greater complexity, yes, but this one holds a special place in my little, black heart.

9:05 I dont think it was a literal vision, rather she just gave Jack a gift, an honest gift from the heart, wich is what christmast is kinda about. After that some chrismast manifested around her, but that could not survive in the land of halloween thus making it burst into flames. Indicating christmast was doomed to fail there.

Wasn’t there an alternate ending where it turned out Oogie was really Dr. Finklestein and he just literally just spelled it out for Jack that Sally loves him and the kids just flew him out of the pit 😂

8:46 I guess you could say Sally *REALLY FELL FOR JACK!* I'll see myself out...

My sister literally just talked about Nightmare Before Christmas earlier and suddenly, here's Nostalgia Critic reviewing it the very same day.

One year later and the “Yehlp!” joke still pops me the most.

To be honest, the final battle scene is still better than what Salick was originally going for with this scene. At the part where Jack rips Boogie's skin off, it was originally gonna unveil Dr. Finkelstein as Boogie in disguise. Burton hated this idea so much, he actually punched a hole in one of the studio walls with his foot in anger. I agree with him because that is just a weird and AWFUL way to end the scene with. 🤣

The Nightmare before Christmas is a perfect blend of creepy and heart warming.

13:57 Surprised you didn’t critique how Jack actually trusts those obviously untrustworthy brats.

I love how the animated intro for this years Nostalgiaween is a big reference to that one Donald Duck Halloween episode where Huey Dewey and Louie try to get candy from Donald as he pranks them and the which helps them out thus making a reference that we all see in the intro