One of my favourite animations ever. Who thought that a half-hour Christmas cartoon about a kid's friendship with a snowman could be as gut-wrenchingly devastating as GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES?
THE SNOWMAN works so well because of its simplicity. It's a magical adventure, a piece of pure escapism set over the course of one magical day and night that most kids should be able to identify with. Raymond Briggs is a masterful author in that the story's purpose (to help children deal with grief) only becomes apparent when rewatching it as an adult.
The sublime music and simple yet beautiful animation are the icing on the cake. And don't get me started on THAT ending - the perfect ending, really, perfectly judged and topping off a real emotion ride.
THE SNOWMAN works so well because of its simplicity. It's a magical adventure, a piece of pure escapism set over the course of one magical day and night that most kids should be able to identify with. Raymond Briggs is a masterful author in that the story's purpose (to help children deal with grief) only becomes apparent when rewatching it as an adult.
The sublime music and simple yet beautiful animation are the icing on the cake. And don't get me started on THAT ending - the perfect ending, really, perfectly judged and topping off a real emotion ride.