How Murray Saved Christmas (2014)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Just perfect...

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Some reviewer actually hated this one! It's from the Simpson's producers so it has dry and unusual humor. Murray is more of a "deli-guy" than a churchgoer, but, except for an occasional "oy" here and there, the story never touches on ethnic or religious matters at all. It all takes place in a mythical town where all the legends live: Santa, Easter Bunny, Father Time, Mother Nature, Libby (Statue of Liberty), etc. and all the North Pole elves. Santa gets boinked on the head and ends up resting in bed, so somebody has to deliver the Christmas presents. Why not Murray? He is the master of "take out-delivery" food. Outrageous and fun, and squeaky-clean. 42 Min. It all takes place in "SC", the town called "Stinky Cigars", way up North. Murray loves Libby and he wins back her love. As always, there is a mischievous elf that starts all the problems. He invents a "Jack in the Box" with a boxing glove, and it knocks Santa out!

This short Christmas movie wasn't too bad (though not entirely the best Christmas film I've ever seen either). I liked the fact that traditional animation was employed (as not many cartoons, let alone holiday ones, use that these days). I also liked how Murray decided to give the bad kids presents as well. Scenes such as where the dragon burned the king guy's piano--and when Santa was saying "Got to deliver this garbage to the brats"--made me laugh. But other humor that this special employed was quite offensive.Most notable in the offensive category is when Murray singing "I'm so gay" was taken out of context by the other characters; then he went on to apologize for singing it (but at least added "But that way is okay"). I also noticed how many colored characters (such as the doctor, police officer, and Santa) were painted as antagonists; yet other characters like Edison Elf and Murray (white characters) were painted as protagonists. While this may seem like a subtle point to make, I would have preferred to see some more "white" villains to not make the antagonists seem so segregated.Offensive jokes aside, there was one other problem with this special: a bad Santa Claus. I personally liked the twist, but I doubt that kids would enjoy seeing Santa in such a bad light--especially around Christmas time. The Santa in this special was cheap, cruel, a scrooge, and didn't even transform into a better person in the end; the only thing that made him humble was receiving a concussion--twice. But suffering a concussion isn't the same as changing your heart (and that was what this Santa really needed). I understand that cartoons need their antagonists; but making Santa the antagonist in a Christmas special just gives children a sour taste for the holidays.Finally (and this is my main concern), some jokes employed in this special were quite outdated. For instance, not many kids today would know that Doc Holiday's song about Santa's concussion was a parody of that song from Mary Poppins that starts with an "S" (the title is far too long to write), nor would they know much about the "Mighty Ducks" (which the Hindu salesman mentioned when he was checking-out Santa's merchandise). When Murray was trying to recall the names of his reindeer for the little boy, he said names such as "Bambi, Rambo, Dopey", etc. I'm not saying that all kids wouldn't catch-on; but the producers would have a better chance of it by referencing current people such as Donald Trump, the Kardashians, (Star Wars as they've been popular since the 80s), etc. That said, this special would have been better understood had it aired in the 90s. But the offensive material would still have had to been dealt with.Even with its shortcomings, "How Murray Saved Christmas" was still a pretty nice watch. It wasn't the best Holiday Special, but there were still redeeming qualities that made up for the bad--such as the traditional animation, an original and interesting setting (i.e. Stinky Cigars), and the fact that other Holiday mascots were present besides the Christmas ones (it made the special more interesting and entertaining that way). Additionally (even though he wasn't the best example for Christmas' jolly man), Santa was still an intriguing character to me. Again, I personally liked the twist; but I also have to consider his influence on children who still have to learn that Kris Kringle is a good man--not a bad one.

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.

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!