Thirty years have passed since the classic animation 'The Snowman' first aired on Channel Four; now it is time to return. This sequel opens with a new family moving into the house one summer; as well as another young boy there is a dog but it soon dies and is buried in the garden. When winter comes the boy discovers a package hidden under the floorboards in his bedroom; it contains the scarf, hat and coal-buttons of the Snowman along with a picture of him and the original boy. That night it begins to snow and the next day the boy remakes the snowman and from the left over snow he fashions a little snowdog. As he gets into bed he looks out of the window and is shocked to see that they have come to life. As happened in the original, this boy is taken on a magical journey, flying over London they head north and meet Father Christmas. Anybody who has seen the original will be anticipating a tear inducing ending but this time the sadness is reduced as one last magical thing happens when they get home!
'The Snowman' was a hard act to follow but this certainly comes close. Like the original it shares a distinctive animation style that gives a real warmth to the characters even those made of snow. The setting is quintessentially English but the lack of spoken dialogue means that this could be enjoyed by people everywhere. The song used here sadly doesn't have the ethereal charm of 'Walking in the Air' but it isn't bad. People who enjoyed the original are sure to enjoy this and once again they should be prepared to shed a tear or two but expect to be smiling at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if this one is still being shown in thirty years as well; perhaps we'll get part three in 2042!
'The Snowman' was a hard act to follow but this certainly comes close. Like the original it shares a distinctive animation style that gives a real warmth to the characters even those made of snow. The setting is quintessentially English but the lack of spoken dialogue means that this could be enjoyed by people everywhere. The song used here sadly doesn't have the ethereal charm of 'Walking in the Air' but it isn't bad. People who enjoyed the original are sure to enjoy this and once again they should be prepared to shed a tear or two but expect to be smiling at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if this one is still being shown in thirty years as well; perhaps we'll get part three in 2042!