The special ends on a joyous note, and the lo-fi charms of its non-professional voice cast and simple-yet-expressive animation retain a pleasantly transportive power.

No other film just feels like Christmas the way that this one does.

While the core and visuals work well enough, the story just isn't there and at nearly every turn the special alienates itself from modern audiences.

That kind of earnestness can cut across any culture, any moment in time, and any viewer.