Watch Donner For Free

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

My family recorded this special on tape when it aired in 2001, when I was two years old, not knowing that was the only time it would ever air on TV! Since then I've watched it every year. Its a fun, lighthearted Christmas special with a decent message and plenty of humour for kids and parents. Very much something in the spirit of classic cartoons, especially with its timing, but being a computer-animated film it doesn't quite capture the same feeling.The story here is that Donner wants to join Santa's reindeer team, but he can't because he doesn't know how to fly. He teams up with some oddball elves who create various contraptions to make him fly, leading to a lot of slapstick comedy, but no success. Finally, he overcomes his inability and believes in himself, finding the power to fly after all. It's a simple plot, but for a special like this, that's all you need.The animation doesn't hold up very well (it's 2001 CGI, so that's to be expected), and some of the references and characterizations are a bit weird, but it's a charming short and one that deserves to be seen. Unfortunately, not only has it never been shown on TV in Canada since its initial airing, it also never came out on VHS or DVD in this country. It is on YouTube in full HD, though, so check it out!