The quality in which The Halloween Tree was transferred over to the DVD format is absolutely stunning, making sure that viewers will be provided with an experience that is as near to the first time they watched the film. VHS editions of this title just pale in comparison to the Warner Archive edition. For those that have not had the opportunity to watch the film yet, it is framed around a Ray Bradbury short story.
The narrative of the film is stellar, showcasing a group of mischievous children. When a friend gets taken away into the night by dark spirits, the children have to understand how important the holiday is. The story feels like a riff on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, replete with a number of things that are stereotypically nineties. One will be shocked at the sheer pacing and lingo used by the main characters; while this title was only released about twenty years ago, it is considerably distanced from what youth of this era speak.
The multicultural aspect of what we know now as Halloween is perhaps the most interesting facet of The Halloween Tree. While the title itself is a solid childrens’ view, I feel that the comparisons of disparate cultures allow for a more heady title than would normally be present. If you would like to purchase a copy of The Halloween Tree, visit the WB Shop (linked above). Keep an eye out for a set of Holiday-themed titles to be hitting the aforementioned shop in the weeks to come.
Rating: 8.4/10