Donner
Donner
G | 01 December 2001 (USA)
Donner Trailers

Everyone knows what a Dancer, a Comet, or a Cupid is, but what's a Donner? A troubled reindeer tries to save Christmas from disaster. Christmas Special for ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas.

Reviews
Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.
Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Raymond Sierra The film may be flawed, but its message is not.
Dario Smagata 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!