The Powerpuff Girls: 'Twas the Fight Before Christmas (2003)

Wonderful character development!

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

"The Powerpuff Girls: 'Twas the Fight Before Christmas" is a 44-minute animated short film from 2003 that was directed by Lauren Faust and Craig McCracken and these two also belong to the long list of writers. The abnimated child version of Charlie's Angels is up against their arch nemesis Princess once again and this takes place, as the title already tells you, during the Christmas season, so presents, Santa and snow are vital in here, if not story-wise, then at least in terms of us seeing these components. I personally must say it wasn't that bad and I have seen worse stuff starring the Powerpuff Girls. This doesn't mean though that it was particularly good. It certainly wasn't on a level where you would want to see any of the other many many Powerpuff Girls films and episodes if this is the first work from them that you come across. It is mostly about the fun here, the comedy is in the center of it all and other aspects like drama or crime even are really just secondary serving the comedy aspect. Still I must say the funny moments just weren't enough, not even for an under-45-minute film. I must say I am a bit biased though as the PPG never made a great impact on me or entertained me well before seeing this one here. So if you like them usually, then you will do so here too. It's not worse than what they usually do, it's actually probably better. The Emmy nomination says it all, even if it lost to Star Wars. The cast here includes the likes of Tara Strong and many other voice actors you may have come across in other (PPG) projects if you like animation. It's not really their fault this turned out rather forgettable. Going 100% for comedy without a touching or emotional message is a bold idea for a Christmas-themed cartoon. But if you take that path, then the comedy really needs to be better than it is here. It's rather loud than funny, a frequent problem I have with the Powerpuff Girls. Not recommended.

What will you get if you are Nice? What will you get if you are Naughty? What will you get if you are Permanently Naughty? That would be in this order.1. Whatever You Want. 2. Coal? Maybe. 3. Lots of Coal or Nothing At All.Father Christmas a.k.a. Santa Claus knows how you've been behaving so do not look down on Him. And when if his Head hurts, do not worry about not receiving your Birthday Gifts. Why? The Powerpuff Girls, our beloved little girls with great Powers will always be there for us. Especially when they realized that they got Coal.Merry Christmas in Advance since it is not December 25... yet.

This is better than tolerable for adults who choose to watch this with the kids. Now, I didn't really cotton to the reinforcement of the idea kids already have, that Christmas is all about getting presents. Unfortunately, this is the age we live in, but I always look for a Christmas message and didn't really find one here. The reworking of the "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" poem is well done. And references to classics like A Christmas Story are nicely done. This won't likely ever be a classic in its own right, but I'm quite sure that it will be a perennial favorite for a few years. The animation as already noted by another reviewer is pretty standard TV type animation

It's the Christmas season, and everyone in Townsville is looking forward to what Santa Claus has for them. But when Princess Morebucks gets the notion that she might just be on Santa's "Naughty" list, she makes a visit to the North Pole and almost ruins Christmas for everyone. This lighthearted holiday fare will entertain kids and adults alike. The animation is the simple TV-style, not the computer-enhanced style the theatrical movie used. Perhaps best of all, the violence that the series is so often criticized for is kept to a minimum. Some kids may not like the depiction of Santa as a grouchy old sourpuss, but who could blame his state of mind after having to deliver a lump of coal to almost every girl and boy on the planet?