TheLittleSongbird I really enjoyed this special when I was little, and revisiting it again after, ooh, six years I loved it as much as I did even then.The only minor quibble I have is that sometimes the pacing is a tad too slow, but because I enjoyed Olive the Other Reindeer so much I was past caring.The computer animation is highly imaginative, and does have this sophisticated look. Plus it stayed true to the illustrations of the book it is based on.The music is just as delightful. The incidental music is lovely and fitting with every scene and the songs themselves and there are only a few are well above average.The writing is also spot on, and the writers certainly did their homework by allowing the hilarious puns to come thick and fast. And I loved the sweet and heart warming story That just leaves the voice acting. It was marvellous, Drew Barrymore gave a very expressive and heartfelt voice to Olive, who is plain adorable and spirited. Joe Pantoliano was hilarious as the penguin Martini, and Edward Asner is suitably merry as Santa. The villain is a postman bent on ruining Christmas; he isn't the most sophisticated villain ever but he is a funny one. As usual, Dan Castallenetta was great.All in all, an unexpected Christmas cracker. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox

TheUnknown837-1 "Olive the Other Reindeer" is a very unique film in a lot of regards, but it is also one of the better of the modern animated Christmas specials. Like a lot of family holiday specials, it is relatively short, clocking at a mere forty-five minutes long and in my point of view, that is far too short seeing how well-written, well-animated, well-acted, and simply wonderful and rich the movie is as a whole. It features some of the best animated characters I've ever seen, has a very good plot, is funny, not too childish or immature, but is not too perilous or mature for the kiddies. It is the kind of film that the entire family will enjoy.The characters of "Olive the Other Reindeer" are very rich and developed, surprising seeing as how they are in a very short film. Characters get introduced and developed perfectly quickly, but are on screen for plenty of time considering the short overall length of the film. Olive is is a great Christmas heroine with Drew Barrymore's voice working to perfection in the role. One is not sure of Olive's exact age in dog years, whether she's young, or a middle-aged adult dog and this works out. She does seem to be very youthful, shown by her hopes and spirits.The character of Martini the penguin is my personal favorite out of the entire cast. He is the smooth-talking comical and intelligent character we all love, who stands up for himself and does not let his size discourage him, quoting lines such as "Stand up for free enterprise! Fight demand!" and "The laws of breaking and entering, as the pertain to Santa, are unclear". Overall, a great addition who is the real reason why I wish the movie was longer.There are other supporting characters like the comical Richard Stands, Olive's owner Tim, the reindeer, and there is of course, the character who makes all Christmas movies work out. Santa Clause himself. The character is well-done in this movie with a suiting voice that sounds both aging and tired-out, yet still having the supportive attitude of a sports coach at the same time. Santa isn't the main focus of the story, but is a strong central point, seeing as how most of the joy of Christmas revolves around his yearly flight.The antagonist of the film is a mailman simply referred to be other characters as The Postman. Properly, his real name is not revealed on screen, making him seem more villainous. He's not a frightening villain, but still retains the qualities that are needed for an antagonist. He provides a lot of comical relief as he attempts to stop Olive and the others from saving the holiday of Christmas.The animation in the film is very unique, almost everything being done in 2-D animation. The characters are all like flat cut-outs put in 3-D backgrounds, and there is something very unique and attractive about this. They may be paper-flat, but they don't seem to be. There are a few parts of the animation that do look strange. Such as this one part where a policeman approaches from in front of us. It looks kind of odd with his head sticking point off to the side and his arms swaying from his sides to his stomach and back, but then again, it's not very bothering or distracting. It may even be more funny for the kids and just almost unnoticeable to the adults.Like many Christmas movies, there are a fair share of songs in the film, but they are not immature songs and each one has its own mood. Some of them are original holiday songs that pertain to a certain character's perspective, others are a bit darker or persuasive, and they all work out to enhance the characters who are singing them. Well-written songs like these are what helps make movies like "Olive the Other Reindeer" special and magical.Again, the only flaw with "Olive the Other Reindeer" is its overall too short of a running time. I would have personally like to have seen it at least twenty minutes longer, seeing as how it was very enriched with talented voice work and a compelling storyline. But the way it is, it's a great Christmas movie and one of the best ones to turn out in recent years. I recommend it for the whole family.

dick_d If you've just noticed 1999's "Olive, the Other Reindeer" in your TV listings (as I did last night)and are checking it out on IMDb, I heartily recommend it. The script and characters do not ring any of the false notes that usually undo other Christmas fare. The cute story will keep kids interested, but is peppered with references and visual gags for grownups.Drew Barrymore gives a plucky-not-sucky performance as Olive, and keeps her character's likability from turning sappy. Joe Pantoliano (Ralphie in "The Sopranos"!) as her shady-but-good-hearted sidekick Martini the penguin is a likeable Runyonesque pal. Michael "R.E.M" Stipe contributes a wry musical highlight in the bar scene. Dan "Homer" Castellaneta makes a fine villainous postman, and the other voice artists too numerous to mention here are also first-rate.The 2D-in-3D computerized animation is highly imaginative but not gimmicky."Olive" is as enjoyable as any holiday entertainment since "A Christmas Story". Like that film, word-of-mouth should keep "Olive" around for many Christmases to come.

dlbrehm The animation in "Olive, the Other Reindeer" is truly impressive. The unique style of J. Otto Seibold has been captured in a most beautiful way by the animators at DNA Productions in Dallas. Most people don't realise that "Olive" is a three dimensional animated special, yet it manages to carry the traditional charm and warmth of any classic 2D holiday cartoon.