Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer Special Revisit: Song Adaptation With a Nostalgic Kids Law Story

 Copyright © The WB, Phil Roman Entertainment, The Fred Rappaport Company, Inc.

Title: Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
Director: Phil Roman

Based on: “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by Randy Brooks

Release Date: October 31, 2000

    Yes, Christmas may be over, but nothing is wrong by making a late review. While most of the Christmas movies right now are basically Hallmark’s TV trash, we’ll take a look back at an old special. Today’s revisit is on Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, the animated adaptation of the Christmas song from Randy Brooks. This special was first released on digital on October 31, 2000, and then it started airing on WB on December 21 just a year later. Although it does smell kind of like reindeer nip, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is a finely baked cake that does taste like nostalgia.

Summary

   “Based on the hit song that became a worldwide holiday phenomenon, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is a wild and wacky episode the will knock you off your feet! When his beloved Grandma appears to be missing on Christmas Eve, young Jake Spankenheimer goes on a misadventure of a lifetime to try to prove that Santa is indeed real. With his spirit, smarts and determination, Jake must outmaneuver his greedy cousin Mel and the powerful businessman Austin Bucks to the disbelief of this doting parents, rebellious sister and goofy Grandpa. All the while, it is up to Jake to save Santa from a fretful fate.” - Google

Thoughts

    The most standout part of this special is the animation. Besides a very nostalgic art style, the character designs stay true to the song, and this is what makes it still serve as a TV special for the holidays. On the animation’s downside, a few movements are stiff, especially in one part where we see Santa’s sleigh as just a moving PNG. As for the story, it successfully expands a 3-minute song into a 55-minute narrative. It does have good themes (think family loyalty and never giving up) and the absurdity from the song. Unfortunately, the plot is extremely predictable with every twist, plus a courtroom subplot that felt so forced and boring. Finally, most of the characters from this special are likable. Jake, as well as Grandma, is a standout from this special because of how he is trying to save Christmas from Cousin Mel. Speaking of whom, Cousin Mel, is not a good villain because she is the greedy one with no reason to never redeem.

Conclusion

   Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is a silly Christmas special, but do not expect many miracles like it’s a Christmas party. Basically, it’s a 3-minute song extended into a elementary kids’ story with a courtroom twist. It has nostalgic charm, but not everyone would enjoy or plainly like it. If you want something to save for Christmas next year, you can give this a try. Please remember that better holiday specials and movies exist if you’d like something that has animation.

    Score: 6/10 (she’d been drinking too much eggnog)