Search - Magic Gift of the Snowman/The Toy Shop on DVD

Charming!

Sandi | Clarksburg, WV United States | 08/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A magical snowman takes two children on the adventure of a lifetime in this all new animated feature. This movie is a Beautiful reminder that a positive attitude can help us soar on wings imagination and keep us hopeful and happy - No Matter how old we are.

This was always one of my oldest daughter's favorite Christmas movie and now it my 4 1/2 year old LOVES it. I have to admit that is a really good christmas movie with a great storyline. This movie will work it's way into your heart quick!




"

Dream and sleep, sleep and dream, float away on a magical mo

Taran Wanderer | Chicago, IL | 12/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Magic Gift of the Snowman, produced by Jetlag Productions in 1995 and released on DVD by Goodtimes Entertainment, is an original story from Jetlag Productions. Though their stories are similar, this animated production is not to be confused with the 1982 classic animated short, "The Snowman" based on Raymond Briggs' charming Christmas book. Original stories from Jetlag Productions are only a handful, since most of these are based on classic children's, and sometimes more adult-oriented, stories. A few other original tales from the studio include "Leo the Lion: King of the Jungle" (1994) and "Curly, the Littlest Puppy" (1995). Though not one of the studio's best efforts ever, "Magic Gift of the Snowman" is a sweet, even touching Christmas tale, nicely, though not elaborately, animated for children and a good one to watch during the holidays.

This is the story of two children, a little boy named Landon and his little sister Emery Elizabeth, who's been ill and very delicate for quite some time. The doctor warns the children's parents that Emery Elizabeth is growing weaker and weaker each passing day and that she'll be lucky if she makes it until Christmas. Down-hearted with the horrible news, Landon tries to comfort himself by going outside and building a snowman, who eventually becomes their guidance into a great adventure. In an attempt to get his sister to eat well and rest when she needs to, Landon promises Emery Elizabeth that he will tell her a magnificent story about an enchanted winter wonderland if she does what the doctor wants her to do in order to get well. Emery Elizabeth, excited about a grand story about Princess Electra and her kingdom, agrees to eat her oatmeal and to take her needed naps. Landon introduces his sister to their new friend Snowden, the snowman he had just built, and tells her of a wonderful kingdom ruled by the Princess Electra where there are no grown-ups, only children who can play all day long in a place where there's always fresh snow on the ground. In their imagination, Landon and his sister join Snowden into that kingdom where Emery Elizabeth slowly finds joy and a new reason for living. One night during their visit, they are told by Snowden that the wicked Charlatan, the ruler of Yuck, has stolen Princess Electra's smile, therefore casting great sadness and despair over the children in the enchanted land that has now become more than a place in the imagination. Now, with newly found inner strengths, Emery Elizabeth, Landon and Snowden travel to the horrid kingdom of Yuck, where Christmas candy and sweets are transformed into revolting "yuck", and must defeat the wicked Charlatan in order to restore happiness to Princess Electra's kingdom once more.

Though not a masterpiece of animation in any way, "Magic Gift of the Snowman" is an endearing story of imagination and courage. With good morals about the need of dreams, happiness and imagination in order to hold on to our inner strengths. Though Jetlag Productions hasn't managed to turn Princess Electra's kingdom into one that would really stir anyone's imagination, the idea is present and to some, that should be good enough. A major flaw with this production is the clichéd voice acting. Once again, characters speak with the same old, same old voices. Emery Elizabeth's voice actress is the exact same one who voiced the protagonist in "Heidi" (1995), while Snowden's voice is a bit more fresh here, having been used, I believe, before in Golden Films' 1993 production, "Pinocchio", where it was used for the Cat. Snowden's voice and "cool" talk may get on some kids' and parents' nerves from time to time, but I wasn't too annoyed with it, it was all part of a really cute story, not the most original perhaps, but cute just the same. The character design is typical Jetlag Productions, too, and not the most appealing; Landon for example, looks almost exactly like Peter Cratchit in "A Christmas Carol" (1994). Naturally, Jetlag Productions' trademark of three songs per film is not violated here: first of, the film begins with the soothing melody, "You Have the Power", a reminder of the power that comes from within; next up, "The Enchanted Land of Kids" briefly describes Princess Electra's magical world through song and a familiar singing voice heard many times throughout these films; finally, "Dream and Sleep" is the cute melody sung by the Lullaby Birds as Emery Elizabeth and Landon prepare themselves to sleep, eventually becoming an important theme from there on. So in the end, anyone looking for a good, fresh children's animated Christmas story, this is definitely one to be seen at least once during the holidays. Children are sure to enjoy a trip to Princess Electra's kingdom where life is nothing but play. For adults seeking more elaborate animation, I'd recommend "The Snowman" (1982) instead, though this one remains highly recommended for family viewing."