Elves as special forces and low-orbit space sleighs?

The year is 1823. James Monroe is president of the United States (of which there are presently 24 total). The steamship is all the rage and the height of modern technology. And an American author pens a poem called “A Visit From St. Nicholas” to read to his children at Christmas. Now more commonly known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” this bedtime story codified the Santa Claus mythos for roughly the next two centuries.

Flying Sleigh.

Eight Reindeer.

Short/Plump/Jolly/Pipe/Outfit.

Chimney Burglar.

Over time, we added an optional ninth reindeer. He became the height of the average mall Santa (for practical reasons). The smoking slowly phased out as societal norms shifted. But overall, a fairly consistent representation of Santa remained remarkable durable over such a long period.

But in the 2000’s, Santa got a modern upgrade: logistical support. Even young children struggled to suspend disbelief that a lone Santa could deliver every gift worldwide in a single night. “Magic” just wasn’t cutting it as an explanation.

Enter: Prep & Landing and Arthur Christmas

While Prep & Landing (and its sequel, with a third coming this year) are little twenty-minute Disney shorts and Arthur Christmas is a full-length animated feature, they share a common element. Both take the existing Santa Claus mythos and modernize it with the addition of futuristic technology and an army of helper-elves that fan out to blanket whole regions either with gifts directly or at least smoothing a path for the actual Santa to make his visits.

Elves become part ninja, part Amazon driver. Night vision goggles, stocking filling nozzles, a “sleigh” more like the starship Enterprise than a open-topped sled with runners. These take the idea of Santa Claus and prop up the traditions as… well… just traditions, not the everyday business of mass toy delivery.

If you’re trying to decide between them, and the choice of which you’d like to try first, let it be known that all Prep & Landing together equals the length of Arthur Christmas. So I recommend watching both. They’re a delightfully refreshing counterpart to the Rankin Bass Christmas classics and the mountain of new stuff arriving each year.