How Murray Saved Christmas (2014)

Waste of time

The greatest movie ever made..!

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

An oddly refreshing, offbeat take on the Christmas holiday special. After watching the two dozen or so traditional, sentimental (or even outright sappy and maudlin) classics that glorify the holiday and attempt to infuse even the most secular elements of Christmas with deep meanings, this animated parody is a bit of a refreshing blast of satire for the adults.While hardly a "classic," it's full of gags, inside jokes, and pop culture references that serve up a few guffaws. All in all, a fun little diversion. Never as vulgar as Family Guy, but probably not worth showing to the kids.

This special really highlights the emptiness of forced secularism. It could more properly be called "How Murray Saved the Winter Solstice", if not for its exploitation of the word Christmas. It is composed of a lot of rhyming but not much else. Those who are looking for a meaningful character arc, an original plot, or anything approaching a spiritual significance will be deeply disappointed.WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!Our story begins in a snowy town which seems to have been constructed specifically to trivialize Christmas and to put it among the other holidays for Federal and state workers/greeting card/parade/ethnic celebration/practical joke days.Even the Santa we are introduced to makes one question why people celebrate Christmas. He is quite honestly a forceful, robber-baron type, without any of the redeeming qualities of Krampus. He virtually breaks the back of his worker elves, while offering them hot cocoa (but only at an outrageous price.)Since he is clearly such a jerk, there are several non-sequiturs here. Firstmost: why does he even give gifts to children? Secondly, how did he attract such a multi-ethic workforce? (as any rational person would realize they would have had to immigrate and there isn't much attractive about the Far North) Also, how does he pay his elves? (he must pay them—if he is trying to make money off them). And lastly, if he is such a slave- driver, why is it the main elf we are introduced to seems to be such a loafer?Most of the audience is probably glad when he gets punched in the face and knocked out, setting up a empty place for our titular protagonist. I won't outline the rest of the plot—because there isn't one.There's a slight yuck factor throughout the proceedings. Cupid is bare- bottomed. Diaper rash is mentioned—for both the old year and new. The Lord's Prayer (the lone mention approaching religious significance) is said to have been burped. There's a tired old joke about sexuality based on a dumb pun. (Yes, this is a Christmas special where sexuality is discussed). Did I mention, the groundhog (Groundhog Day) is a Woody Allen- type?There's an obvious attempt to be inclusive here. Murray ends up giving toys to both the good and bad, even to people who don't celebrate Christmas (and whose ancestors never have!). Going back to the multi- ethnic elves: who the heck ever wanted to be a Christmas elf?Five years from now this will be long-forgotten.

"How Murray Saved Christmas" was possibly the most famous television Chrstmas special from last year. It scored nominations with the Emmys and Annie Awards. The main character is voiced by Jerry Stiller, father of Ben, and Seinfeld's Jason Alexander should also be known to many. Apart from them, the cast and crew include prolific people from "The Cleveland Show", "Drawn Together", "The Simpsons" and "Futurama", so this should give you a pretty good idea of what the humor in these 42 minutes is going to be like. It's not entirely harmless, sometimes politically incorrect and possibly not worth a watch for the very small ones. But fans of these shows can give it a go. I would not say it was downright funny, but there were some decent moments. I liked the animated Andrew Sisters and my favorite joke was the punchline on being gay during the holiday season, obviously as I love language-related jokes and this meant something entirely different a long time ago. A decent watch all in all and certainly not the worst way to spend an hour when December rings in again.

I've never posted a review here and I admit I am not a fan of the Simpsons, and as I understand, this was written "a-la-the Simpsons..." It is offensive, vulgar, prejudicial, and just pure garbage! But we watched it in the same way you can't look away from a train wreck. I wouldn't let my child or grandchild near this mess, and I believe I will have nightmares myself tonight! I am not sure in which genre to classify this drivel, offensive show, but it certainly does not qualify as entertainment. Too many sexual references, racial profiling remarks, and bathroom humor bits. Made me want to puke.Delete this, if you recorded it, and don't bother to recorded it, if you didn't!Merry Christmas!