The magical gift of the snowman is a beloved and enchanting tale that has captivated generations of children and adults alike. This heartwarming story revolves around a snowman that comes to life and embarks on a magical adventure with a young boy. The story begins on a cold winter's day when the boy builds a snowman in his garden. Little does he know that this simple act of childhood imagination will result in something extraordinary. As the boy goes to bed, he is awakened by a noise outside. Curious and excited, he peeks out of his window to see that his snowman has magically come to life.
Magic Gift of the Snowman is a 1995 Christmas special animated by Jetlag Productions and released by GoodTimes Entertainment.
The character design is typical Jetlag Productions, too, and not the most appealing; Landon for example, looks almost exactly like Peter Cratchit in A Christmas Carol 1994. When Landon finds out that his younger sister, Emery Elizabeth, is so ill that she might not live to see another Christmas, he comes up with a plan to help her get better.
Curious and excited, he peeks out of his window to see that his snowman has magically come to life. Filled with wonder and awe, the boy and the snowman quickly form a deep bond as they explore the wonders of the winter night together. They dance through the snow-covered landscapes, play in the moonlight, and even visit some unexpected places, such as the snowman's frosty friends at the North Pole.
Magic Gift of the Snowman (1995) Movie Review
Starring: Tony Ail, Nathan Aswell, Chera Bailey, Kathleen Barr, Garry Chalk
Director: Toshiyuki Hiruma Takashi
Release Date: 9 November 1995
Language: English
Length: 47 minutes
Movie Rating: Not Rated
View Format: DVD
My Rating:
Synopsis:
When Landon finds out that his younger sister, Emery Elizabeth, is so ill that she might not live to see another Christmas, he comes up with a plan to help her get better. Landon encourages Emery Elizabeth to eat regularly, take her naps and her medicine and take better care of herself. If she does, Landon will share the story of Snowden, a really cool snowman who lives in the magical kingdom far, far away. Magic Gift of the Snowman, produced by Jetlag Productions in 1995 and released on DVD by Goodtimes Entertainment, is an original story from Jetlag Productions.
Review:
I stumbled across this animated tale on Hulu.com during the Christmas season and, while not a great movie, it is definitely cute and will appeal to younger viewers, especially to preschoolers. The animation is simple, but bright and colorful. Emery Elizabeth and all of the girls in the movie were shown with pale pink lips that almost didn’t even look real so there was something off about the animation of the faces, but that is a minor detail. Landon reminded me visually of Henry in The Littles, but he and all of the other children are animated in a very cute, borderline anime-fashion (no big eyes). There are some original songs included, none of which I felt was good enough for me to remember what they were about when the movie was over, but I am sure that children will enjoy the music nonetheless.
The best part about the movie, however, is the sweet storyline. It was so wonderful to see an animated special where siblings not only got along, but they love each other and encourage each other. Landon loves his little sister very much. Rather than be upset that she is getting a lot of care and attention due to her prolonged illness, Landon is determined to do all he can to help Emery Elizabeth get better. He spends a chilly afternoon in the yard creating Snowden, a snowman that reminded me quite a bit of Frosty the Snowman, but in sunglasses and a trenchcoat. Snowden’s slang may be dated now, but little kids will not know that and will get a kick out of the way Snowden talks. Landon and Emery Elizabeth must help Snowden recover Princess Electra’s smile from an evil villain who is determined to make all of the children take candy, rainbows and their dreams and turn them into a bunch of slimy yuk. Emery Elizabeth is critical to defeat the villain as she can use the power of her inner self to turn her wheelchair into any object with wheels. I loved that the writers chose to make Emery Elizabeth, the handicapped one, the heroine of the story. Instead of having her wheelchair be a weakness, Emery Elizabeth was able to turn this disability into a great strength that eventually saved all of the children!
This movie is definitely created with children in mind. I felt like Landon or another young boy or girl would have imagined a story like this and chosen to share it with their siblings. The magical kingdom where everything takes place only has children who live there. They dance, play and sing all day, powered by Princess Electra’s magical smile. The beds are shaped like cream puffs and ice cream cones. Every toy and game imaginable is available for the children to play with and they have no cares or worries. The only limit on what you can do in this magical kingdom is your own imagination.
While I think children will really enjoy this tale, I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. There is not a lot there for older children or for adults to want to sit through it with younger viewers. Many view this DVD as a Christmas movie, but there is nothing really Christmasy about it. Emery Elizabeth needs to live past the holiday to have any hope of recovering from her illness, but over half of the action takes place in a magical kingdom. There is one scene at the end that shows Emery Elizabeth opening a Christmas present near the Christmas tree, but that is the only Christmas scene in the movie. Still, if you are looking for a movie to share with your children around the winter holidays, this is a good cartoon to buy. You can usually find it for $2 – $5 online or in stores so it is very affordable and worth the cost if you have little ones at home who will watch it a few times in a row.
Content:
This movie contains an evil villain who looks like a zombie with big bug eyes, but he is not too scary. There is also a scene that contains a lot of fire that the children have to escape. Recommended for ages 2 and up.
When Landon's sister Emery-Elizabeth was sick, he decided to tell her a story about a named Snowden who works for Princess Electra's kingdom.
Throughout their adventure, the snowman imparts a sense of joy and innocence to the boy. The snowman's simple existence reminds the boy of the magic and beauty that can be found in everyday life. Together, they revel in the wonders of nature and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. However, as morning approaches, the boy realizes that the sun's warmth is melting his dear friend. Deeply saddened, he is forced to say goodbye to the snowman who has brought so much magic into his life. The story ends on a bittersweet note, reminding readers of the ephemeral nature of beauty and joy. The magical gift of the snowman not only captures the imagination but also teaches valuable lessons about friendship, the beauty of nature, and the importance of cherishing those precious moments in life. It reminds us that even the simplest things, like a snowman, can bring magic and joy into our lives. In conclusion, the magical gift of the snowman is a timeless tale that continues to enchant readers of all ages. Through its captivating story and enchanting illustrations, it invites us to embrace the wonder and magic of the world around us. It serves as a reminder to cherish the fleeting moments of joy and to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, even in the simplest of things..
Reviews for "The Frosty Promise: The Snowman's Magical Blessings"
1. Samantha - 1 star
I found "The Magical Gift of the Snowman" to be extremely predictable and unoriginal. The plot was cliché and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to become emotionally invested in the story. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked development. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Mark - 2 stars
"The Magical Gift of the Snowman" had a promising premise, but fell short in execution. The writing style was juvenile and lacked sophistication, making it difficult for me to fully engage with the story. I also found the dialogue to be unrealistic and forced. While the illustrations were charming, they couldn't make up for the overall lackluster storytelling. I wouldn't consider this book to be a memorable read.
3. Amanda - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "The Magical Gift of the Snowman". The story lacked originality and felt like a rehash of other children's Christmas books. The plot was predictable and offered nothing new or exciting. Additionally, the prose was simplistic and failed to captivate my attention. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique and engaging Christmas tale.