In a way, David Lowery’s An Almost Christmas Story (Oscar-qualified, but not shortlisted for Best Animated Short) indirectly revisits the question whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie when the Folksinger narrator ponders whether a Christmas setting is sufficient to make a Christmas story. In this case, the answer should be yes, given the extent of the Christmas trappings.
Having recently discovered his flying ability, the growing owl chick Little Moon shows far too much enthusiasm and not enough caution. After accidentally wrecking his nest, Moon tries to redeem himself gathering twigs, making himself a target for a predatory bird of prey. Barely surviving with a wounded wing, he waits for his frustrated father to rescue him. However, he takes refuge in the giant tree bound for Rockefeller Plaza, just as they start chopping.
Suddenly, Little Moon finds himself in the strange world of New York, overlooking ice-skaters like young Luna. (Presumably, he must somehow have slept through all the mediocre pop stars performing at tree lighting ceremony, so he is luckier than he realizes.) Nevertheless, he is quite alarmed, especially since the trio of street-smart pigeons led by the tough-talking Pat (Natasha Lyonne, almost, but not quite laying on the gruffness too thickly) greet him with suspicion and hostility rather than compassion. (Naturally, Phil Rosenthal of Somebody Feed Phil has instant credibility as Punt, the pigeon who only thinks about food). However, Little Moon and Luna learn they share an affinity beyond their names.
Partially inspired by Rocky, the owl discovered in the 2020 Rockefeller Center tree, An Almost Christmas doesn’t even get to Christmas. It only takes place during the lead-up. However, Little Moon’s desire to return home (for the holidays) is a classic Christmas theme. The use of the Folksinger (warmly performed by the just folksy-enough John C. Reilly) as an on-camera narrator, sort of like Jimmy Durante in Frosty the Snowman, is another staple of holiday specials.
The third Christmas short produced by Alfonso Cuaron for Disney+, An Almost Christmas Story was computer animated in a style that emulates various stop motion techniques. Appropriately, it has a woody, textured vibe that evokes the owls’ forest environment. Even the character design reflects the wood-work effect, like Moon’s eyes, which charmingly suggest tree-rings.
The resulting visual style is quite distinctive, while the story qualifies as endearing. As a result, An Almost Christmas Story passes the Christmas special test, even though most of its characters do not know what Christmas is.
In contrast, The Simpsons: O C’mon All Ye Faithful talks all about Christmas, but its holiday spirit feels rather Grinchy. Technically, this is episode S36E10 (featuring all the regular continuing members, who should be able to voice their characters in their sleep, by this point), but it has the distinction of being the first Simpsons programming to premiere on Disney+ rather than Fox.
