Child neglect, both long- and short-term, appears to be the theme that runs throughout Arthur Christmas, the latest, more-entertaining-than-you-think flick from Brit-based Aardman Animations (aka the house that Wallace and Gromit built). While the computer-generated, 3-D-accentuated visuals are more competently impressive than ass-out awe-inspiring, co-writer and director Sarah Smith and co-writer Peter Baynham (who both worked together on the BBC animated sitcom I Am Not an Animal) do manage to put a fresh, thoughtful spin on the story of Santa as well as keep this production from slipping into cringe-worthy sappiness. By Craig D. Lindsey