One of the best Christmas movies of all time? It certainly has to be in the conversation if we’re ignoring non-traditional picks like _Die Hard_. The very well defined & unusual characters combined with the emotional story make this an absolute winner. It might seem like a formulaic plot at the beginning, but this film is an unpredictable rollercoaster once it gets going. The sound and visuals perfectly capture the vibe for what’s needed here, it’s heartwarming without overdosing on sugar. This tone is pulled off little less successfully with the writing as the heavy, sad moments don’t mix all that well with the broad comedic style. The theme of coincidence that the film’s dealing with also leads to some plot developments that can feel forced or contrived. Still, I expect this one to attain the status of a Christmas classic as more and more people discover it. Most of the elements really work here and it’s quite accessible compared to Kon’s more conceptual work (_Paprika, Perfect Blue_).

7.5/10