57 Comments

  • Dryd
    Dryd
    Old Man
    Comments: 2

    Ohmigosh…

    I never knew I actually had seen a Good Times film. I have this on video somewhere. It’s been years since I’ve seen it (which is kinda expected). Only thing I could remember was the Paul McCartney bit, and that’s only because I hated it so much. This film is the root of my annoyance with Christmas songs…

  • Dunes
    Robert Cop
    Comments: 188

    What’s with the inconsistent capitalization on the movie’s title in the movie itself?

  • Dunes
    Robert Cop
    Comments: 188

    Also, looks like the reindeer’s forehead heart changed to a different shade of brown during that song.

  • The Phantom of Pulp
    I'm THE BEST!
    Comments: 103

    They made another Christmas movie!?!? Darn it, Good Times, let me have a happy Christmas just this once! YouTube keeps recommending this film to me! And for goodness sake GoodTimes, leave the British people alone: you keep messing them up!!

    How come racism and xenophobia are so prevalent in the whimsically charming North Pole? Between this and the casual sexism in the Rankin and Bass original cut, the North Pole seems to be a crumby place to live.

    Fun fact: according to Wikipedia, several Good Times films, Alice in Wonderland and A Christmas Carol included, were actually property of Japanese-Korean-American Jetlag Films  who were known for assisting in the animation of the New Adventures of He-Man and Conan the Adventurer.

    I can feel the Christmas cheer slipping away so here’s another Christmas present that is sure to give you ‘good times’ (hope you can access it):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgHhNOZdYY4

    Between this and the pun, I think that pesky Christmas cheer has been completely dealt with.

    You;re welcome…mwahaha! Great review!

     

    • The Phantom of Pulp
      I'm THE BEST!
      Comments: 103

      And I just realized a Rankin and Bass film has a shocking directors cut that can’t be shown on TV.

      There is no more innocence.

    • Alex C.
      Alex C.
      JUST GOT ACTUALLY-ED!
      Comments: 151

      When you feel Christmas cheer is lacking you direct people to horrible, earbleed-inducing music? What the hell, man?

      • The Phantom of Pulp
        I'm THE BEST!
        Comments: 103

        The thing is that dominated my childhood at Christmas time and I felt that, being the season of giving and all, I should share this… special memory of mine with everyone!

        You are welcome 🙂

         

        Also speaking of what the hell, what’s with the squirrel?

        • Alex C.
          Alex C.
          JUST GOT ACTUALLY-ED!
          Comments: 151

          It’s Super-squirrel, motherfucka. You think Kal-El was the only one who escaped Krypton?

          • The Phantom of Pulp
            I'm THE BEST!
            Comments: 103

            Well, I know of Supergirl, Superboy, Superdog, Supermonkey, Superhorse and Supercat so I guess it’s plausible.

            You learn something new everyday.

            That said, this guy better get his own comic: it would be epic!!!

          • OrangeRider
            Memeforce Zwei
            HHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
            Comments: 455

            What about a Super Gundam anyone?

          • The Phantom of Pulp
            I'm THE BEST!
            Comments: 103

            Kryptoian Gundam? That. Would. Be. GLORIOUS!!!

          • OrangeRider
            Memeforce Zwei
            HHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
            Comments: 455

            Just give it a bunch of beamspamming lasers and it would be ready to go.

            Anyone who has heard of Gundam SEED/SEED Destiny will get this reference.

  • Trixie_is_best
    Trixie_is_best
    Bat Hero
    Comments: 83

    Never knew Goodtimes released a movie in theaters, and how badly it bombed.  If this movie was released straight to video, then its loss would not be anywhere near as bad as it was.  Then to add, its hard to top Rankin Bass for good Christmas classics, and Goodtimes just ruined it.

    Keep up the good work to Phelous, these Goodtimes reviews are just great and there are so many more to go.  Although Rudolph may not have been the worst Goodtime movie, it really was their biggest failure.

     

  • Occam
    Occam
    A Real Turtles Fighter
    Comments: 36

    Yeah, maybe they made enough DOE, alright…but there’s always room for a quick BUCK to be made, am I right?

    *chirping from the hearth*

  • Ultratech94
    End Of Transmission
    S.T.A.R.S.
    Comments: 381

    btw, John Goodman also played Santa-Bot in Futurama. maybe the film would of been better if it ended like this:

    Santa-bot: By the way, Bender. Here’s a small token of my appreciation for being Santa while I was trapped in the ice.

    Bender: Hey, chief. You screwed up. There’s nothing in here.

    Santa-bot: Oh, it might appear empty, but the message is clear: play Santa again, and I’ll kill you next year!

  • DemonioBlanco
    DemonioBlanco
    A Real Turtles Fighter
    Comments: 29

    I remember watching tons of Good times movies on TV.

    with train and all that

  • Ultratech94
    End Of Transmission
    S.T.A.R.S.
    Comments: 381

    since Christmas is coming around the corner, there’s 1 review I would highly recommend Phelous to talk about since it’s not only a Christmas special, but also the very last episode of this amazing TV series that has ever aired. I’m talking about Invader Zim Episode 50: The Most Horrible X-Mas Ever. so, how about it Phelous? are you up for the challenge?

    “We wish you a merry jingly! we wish you a merry jingly! we wish yyyyyyyyyoooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…….”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_msA7xQ4Ig

     

  • cainsbees
    Old Man
    Comments: 3

    OMG ,I never knew that this was from that company but holy crap this brings back memories but thannk you so much for giving me this.

  • SpeedyEric
    CUUUUT
    Comments: 60

    I’ve actually heard about this movie, but I didn’t know it was theatrically released.  Also, I’ll stick with the Rankin/Bass version of Rudolph, thanks.

    Another Christmas movie I recall being released in theaters in October was Surviving Christmas starring Ben Affleck in 2004.  It was so bad, it was released on video 2 months later.

    At least Bob Newhart later went on to star in a much better Christmas movie in the form of Elf.  And …what?  Gary Chalk is in this?  Optimus Primal?   …Well, that’s just prime.

    12:47- The elves could be humming, but what the hell do I know?

    16:24- Phelous’s voice over makes him sound like Harrison Ford; dammit, Andrew.

    Good Times later made a semi-direct sequel to the original Rankin/Bass Rudolph special in 2001 called Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys.

    • Kenshiroh
      A Real Turtles Fighter
      Comments: 25

      Another Christmas movie I recall being released in theaters in October was Surviving Christmas starring Ben Affleck in 2004.  It was so bad, it was released on video 2 months later.

      At least the video came out in December, then.

      • SpeedyEric
        CUUUUT
        Comments: 60

        True dat, yo.

      • Ultratech94
        End Of Transmission
        S.T.A.R.S.
        Comments: 381

        he was also in another Christmas movie called Reindeer Games. speaking of Ben Affleck, looking back at the films he was doing in the late 90’s & early 2000’s, he doesn’t exactly have the best track record as an actor.  in fact, he was responsible for 3 major stinkers of 2003 that also led to Razzie nominations for worst actor (which he was nominated for all 3 films): Daredevil, Gigli, & Paycheck. in fact, he was handed the razzie award for Paycheck a week later on Larry King Live in which he broke and was later sold on ebay to cover the hall rental for the following year’s ceremonies. he even joked about this film while hosting SNL saying that “he would have walked out of the premiere and asked for his money back until he realized he was in the movie.” fast forward to 2015/2016, and now he’s Batman. life is funny sometimes.

      • Ultratech94
        End Of Transmission
        S.T.A.R.S.
        Comments: 381

        he was also in another Christmas movie called Reindeer Games. speaking of Ben Affleck, looking back at the films he was doing in the late 90’s & early 2000’s, he doesn’t exactly have the best track record as an actor.  in fact, he was responsible for 3 major stinkers of 2003 that also led to Razzie nominations for worst actor (which he was nominated for all 3 films): Daredevil, Gigli, & Paycheck. in fact, he was handed the razzie award for Paycheck a week later on Larry King Live in which he broke and was later sold on ebay to cover the hall rental for the following year’s ceremonies. he even joked about this film while hosting SNL saying that “he would have walked out of the premiere and asked for his money back until he realized he was in the movie.” fast forward to 2016, and now he’s Batman.

  • wetman
    CUUUUT
    Comments: 69

    Wait did Phelous just transform into Jafart from Aladdin and His Magic Lamp: A Tale of A Thousands Nights?

  • wetman
    CUUUUT
    Comments: 69

    Wait did Phelous just turn into Jafart from Aladdin and His Magic Lamp: A Tale of A Thousand and One Nights?

  • SailorSlamDunk
    SailorSlamDunk
    Just might make the CUT
    Comments: 45

    Poor Scott McNeil. I found most of his voice work serviceable yet average, but for some reason I’m generally fond of him. Gotta be the cowboy hat.

    Can we please time travel back to the late 90s/early 2000s and ask character designers why they were so motivated to portray animals with hairstyles?

    • Occam
      Occam
      A Real Turtles Fighter
      Comments: 36

      It makes them more distinctive. Granted, that usually works better when they’re anthropomorphized, but whatever.

    • Ultratech94
      End Of Transmission
      S.T.A.R.S.
      Comments: 381

      well, from the information I’ve gathered, he’s been acting for quite sometime now. he’s been in plenty of well remembered anime from Black Lagoon to Ranma 1/2 & even Gundam Wing. personally, I first recognized him as Koga from Inuyasha. I think he’s a good actor and I hope he keeps getting work.

  • Chaos-15
    NewbieDotCom.Com
    Comments: 5

    Kathleen Barr and Andrea Libman were in Goodtime’s Alice in Wonderland…… huh.

  • Anno Nimus
    Anno Nimus
    Bat Hero
    Comments: 84

    I think this is one of the first things Phelous has reviewed that I’ve actually seen before. I remember thinking this had a couple of advantages over the Rankin Bass version, mainly that Rudolph’s parents and Santa come off as more sympathetic, but I agree that for a theatrical release this definitely doesn’t look like 10 million dollars.

  • Kenshiroh
    A Real Turtles Fighter
    Comments: 25

    I misheard that elf’s inquiry about mail as “Any mail for Ass Claus?”

  • MoonSapphire
    NewbieDotCom.Com
    Comments: 17

    Hey Phelous. I’ve been watching hundreds of these videos for a good while, and you have quite the sense of humor. It wasn’t until this video that I considered making an account because let me say that ever since the review of Goodtimes Entertainment’s Beauty and the Beast, I’ve been hoping for a review of the Rudolph movie as well as The Island of Misfit Toys.

     

    I didn’t even know this had a theatrical release, though. Either way, despite this… remake? having a slightly bigger plot, it obviously pales in comparison to the original 1964 Rankin/Bass classic. Seriously, the “reindeer games” is a sled race? That is so dumb… Although, I would say that John Goodman is a great choice to voice Santa Claus. Eric Idle is cool, but replacing Scott McNeil as the voice of an Arctic-Bronx Fox is… what? Bear Newhart is even more strange. Also, Zoe? What happened to Clarice? At least The Island of Misfit Toys got it right… no really, review that movie next, please???

     

    P.S., I love that Jinxaweenie is under a tiny tree with Garfield. :3

     

  • fanime1
    fanime1
    Old Man
    Comments: 4

    This film is a guilty pleasure for me. Even as a kid, I would make fun of the limited animation and the fact that Rudolph’s voice magically changed when singing. Kinda wish I had that power XD! And yeah, I totally agree that the bad guys weren’t doing much wrong and that Zoey’s a bad girlfriend, but I’ve always had a bit of an obsession with Rudolph. Maybe it had to do with the fact I didn’t have many friends growing up so I related to him on a personal level. Nonetheless, I found this review hilarious as usual and am so grateful that you finally reviewed it.

    P.S. On the VHS of this movie was an advert for another GoodTimes movie called, “In Search of Santa.” It was supposed to come in “Christmas 1999,” but I never heard of it again until I saw it on, I think, Cartoon Network a few years ago. It went from being 2D to 3D and I think it should get a review on the making alone! Why the hell did this movie take so long to make? When did it go from 2D to 3D? What happened to the other characters pictures on the ad. I really want to know what went on during the development of this film and why they didn’t just give up. BTW, the movie was rather boring and I remember feeling like it was dumbed down. I felt so superficial and didn’t take seriously a kid’s intelligence.

  • KeroKamina
    KeroKamina
    NewbieDotCom.Com
    Comments: 9

    i remember as a kid i Hated this movie, but it was mostly because i didn’t liek love interests and singing as a kid. glad to know i wasn’t just beign irrational in thinking this movie was awful

  • C-Puff
    C-Puff
    Just might make the CUT
    Comments: 48

    I actually watched this movie as a kid…. on VHS but still. The only thing I remember about it is the jarring change of voice from the singing segment and the talking segment because even at age 12 that made my head spin. I’m writing this before finish the video… wonder if Phelous will mention that.
    yup.

    the sad thing? I’ve still not seen the Rankin and Bass Rudolph movie/special.

    You know… if nothing else, props to this movie for making Cupid like a rather tough buck instead of a cutesy doe. I know they did that with prancer (for some reason) but with a name like Cupid, I actually like him being an asshole bastard.

     

    seeing this review of this movie… let’s all watch the Pinky and the Brain Christmas Special instead. :B

    • Ultratech94
      End Of Transmission
      S.T.A.R.S.
      Comments: 381

      I’ve seen the Rankin & Bass version multiple times on VHS until my mother decided to tape over it with Opera. one Christmas special I remember loving a lot which had a lot of commercials on it was Muppets Christmas which had guest stars of some of the characters from Sesame Street. unfortunately, the tape accidently got destroyed from the rewinder going too fast and snapping the tape off. the last Christmas VHS tape that my family still has that was taped from TV is Mickey’s Christmas Carol. the only Christmas special that I think could be a worth review for Phelous that nobody talks about (at least to my knowledge), is the Pokémon Christmas Special. yes, you heard me right. even Pokémon did a couple Christmas Specials in it’s early seasons.

      you know something, the fact that Star Wars The Force Awakens is exactly 1 week away from Christmas day, I’m wondering if anyone is going to go to the premier dressed up as Chewbacca’s family giving away Life Day cards to random people. I think it would be funny if any movie theater posts a sign saying “Star Wars The Force Awakens tickets now on sale, Happy Life Day, and may the force be with you”. and then afterwards, don’t forget to get plenty of booze from Bea Arthur.

  • likalaruku
    likalaruku
    Completely Useless Now
    Comments: 935

    That was supposed to be hair? Looks like one of those loose middle eastern cloth hats….A keffiyah. Also, she looks like Ursula the sea witch.

    Christmas is cancelled? That’s never been done before……

    It just seems like it was originally made as a direct-to-DVD movie, then they shoved it onto theaters after throwing a bunch of money at celebrities who will do anything for a shiny penny.

  • Kooshmeister
    Kooshmeister
    I'm THE BEST!
    Comments: 108

    Maybe this is just me being weird, but I actually thought this movie was cute.

  • ColeYote
    NewbieDotCom.Com
    Comments: 6

    My dad has a friend who’s a war. Apparently he really hates the whole Rudolph story. Everyone is a prick and shuns someone over a physical oddity and only accept him once they need something from him. And you know what? He’s right! Everyone is an asshole!

    And that’s why I can’t watch the Rankin/Bass film any more.

  • DontMindMeNow
    NewbieDotCom.Com
    Comments: 5

    John Goodman as Santa? Hmmm…

    “Rudolph, I’m going to shove coal so far up your stocking you’ll be coughing up diamonds!”

    • Ultratech94
      End Of Transmission
      S.T.A.R.S.
      Comments: 381

      actually, this isn’t the last time John Goodman played Santa. he played Robot Santa in Futurama as well as Santa Claus in both The Year Without A Santa Claus from 2006 & the 2nd SpongeBob Squarepants Christmas Special in 2012.

      • DontMindMeNow
        NewbieDotCom.Com
        Comments: 5

        Yeah, I was referencing him as Robot Santa. “Xmas Story” is probably my favorite Christmas special ever, so I felt compelled.

        • Ultratech94
          End Of Transmission
          S.T.A.R.S.
          Comments: 381

          I agree. that was a great Christmas Special. there are some Christmas specials however that I think deserves a bit more attention or at least some level of recognition. in fact, here are some recommendations for everyone to watch on this site:

          A Muppet Family Christmas

          Christmas Eve On Sesame Street

          Bugs Bunny’s Looney Christmas Tales

          Cardcaptor Sakura: Sakura’s Wonderful Christmas & A Present For The Cards

          Pokémon: Holiday Hi-Hynx

          Batman The Animated Series: Christmas With The Joker

          Invader Zim: The Most Horrible X-Mas Ever

          Married With Children: You Better Watch Out

          SpongeBob Squarepants: Christmas Who?

          Prancer 1989

          and many more.

          • Ultratech94
            End Of Transmission
            S.T.A.R.S.
            Comments: 381

            crap, more typos are at it again. I meant to say Holiday Hi-Jynx. in either case, I still highly recommend everyone on this site to check these out.

            oh, you know what else should be considered a Christmas movie? Batman Returns. seriously, the whole movie is centered around Christmas. I think it would be cool if certain people make it a tradition to watch that movie for the holidays every year. in fact, why not start now? ^-^

  • godprostitute
    godprostitute
    NewbieDotCom.Com
    Comments: 6

    oh wow I did not remember this was a Good Times movie. I actually have a really distinct Christmas morning memory of waking up to an electronic stuffed Rudolph, from this movie, that read you an adaptation of it with accompanying storybook, under the tree. It, and the movie, was a gift from grandmother and at the time I was way too young to realize how bad it was, so I still recall it fondly to a degree. I had no idea that was Eric Idle and I actually loved Wreck-Gar as a kid, what was the point? This is like a real nostalgia shock seeing this again. I never really checked into it again, so I was remembering it as a way better movie.

    Anyway, great review as always and a great choice for a Christmas episode!

  • Lermont
    Bat Hero
    Comments: 91

    There was something bugging me about Stormella. When she got that blond hair, it clicked: it’s Jynx the blond African-American Ice pokemon.

  • CyborgPrince
    CyborgPrince
    Fighting Steffi Love
    Comments: 172

    I think I may have seen this movie, or at least a part of it. Or maybe someone else did a review of it. Did someone else from CA do it?

    This is how forgettable this movie is. I can’t even remember if I saw it or if I saw a different review of it. Part of it seems familiar.

  • Captain Librarian
    NewbieDotCom.Com
    Comments: 10

    Don’t ever stop shoe-horning Old Man into your videos.

  • dougputhoff
    NewbieDotCom.Com
    Comments: 7

    Yay!  The singing cat is back!

  • penpaninu
    penpaninu
    Bat Hero
    Comments: 83

    My little sister liked to rent ANYTHING animated as a little kid and I think she snuck in a few Goodtime videos. My twin and I refused to watch, knowing what constitutes a good animated film and would rag on the poor animation quality, to my sisters’ dismay. But bad animation is bad animation!

  • likalaruku
    likalaruku
    Completely Useless Now
    Comments: 935

    Spent all the money that should have gone into a larger staff & put it into celebrity voice cast….That worked so well for Food Fight too.