ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

What's this? Why, it's a re-release for Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, the stop-motion-animated horror-comedy-musical that has been a cult seasonal staple since it first came to cinemas in 1993. What's more, the techies have now turned it into a 3D movie. But take away the projectile pumpkins and you're still left with memorable characters, vivid visuals and a pleasingly sick sense of humour. All of which is just as well, since the story's as thin as Jack Skellington's legs.

Such as it is, the plot sees our benevolently bony hero (voiced by Chris Sarandon, sung by Danny Elfman) becoming bored with the Halloween routine. After stumbling across the dimensions into Christmastown, he enlists his ghoulish gang in a misguided attempt to hijack the festive season. The comic highpoint comes when the kids discover the ghastly gifts that Santa Jack has left them, from a shrunken head to a tree-swallowing snake.

"THE LOVING DETAIL DOESN'T DATE"

The film basically boils down to a string of musical interludes, although the Elfman-penned songs - with the exception of the brain-nagging 'What's This?' - aren't especially memorable. What does linger is the design, filled with the kind of loving detail that doesn't date, like the pack of singing Draculas. Though the movie has been given a state-of-the-art boost by 3D technology, the effects are fairly discreet, bar the opening spring-mounted surprise. But perhaps what stands out most is the deftly balanced tone: not too dark, not too sickly. In other words, fiendish fun for all the family.