The Nightmare Before Christmas, Rewritten: What If Jack Started a Holiday War?
Jack opened one door. What if he opened all of them?
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) is a stop-motion masterpiece. REAL: it was directed by Henry Selick, based on a story and characters by Tim Burton, with songs by Danny Elfman, who also sang Jack's singing voice.
In the movie, Jack finds a grove of trees with doors to every holiday. But we only ever visit two. So what if all of them got involved?
Jack breaks the holiday balance
When Jack takes over Christmas, he breaks the walls between the holiday worlds. Each world has a Guardian who keeps its season running, and now every holiday is out of balance.
Oogie Boogie makes his move
Oogie has always wanted to take over Halloween Town. Now he wants every holiday. He sends Lock, Shock and Barrel to cause trouble in every world, collecting holiday magic for himself.
The holiday worlds
Christmas Town: Santa's snowy kingdom, guarded by toy soldiers.
Easter Town: a springtime realm protected by a very serious Easter Bunny and his rabbit guard.
St. Patrick's Town: green hills, rainbows and a Leprechaun King who does not like sharing his gold.
Valentine's Town: a heart-shaped city run by Cupid, who has excellent aim.
Thanksgiving Town: a harvest kingdom ruled by a turkey who just wants everyone to sit down and eat.
The final act
Oogie has collected so much holiday magic, he grows into a giant, swirling sack of bugs and stolen holiday cheer. The Guardians don't trust each other, but they have to work together. Jack leads the skeletons and ghosts of Halloween Town. Santa calls in his toy soldiers. The Easter Bunny's rabbits arrive with candy-cane lances. Together, they pull the thread on Oogie for good.
The ending
Jack saves the day, but the holiday worlds will never be quite the same. Santa forgives him, with a stern warning. The Easter Bunny and the Thanksgiving Turkey become unlikely friends. And in the holiday grove, a brand-new door appears, with a question mark on it.
What the original nails
Nightmare is about Jack's identity. He's bored of being the Pumpkin King, tries to be someone else and fails, then realizes he loves who he is, and can't wait for next Halloween. Sally, who sees the trouble coming from the start, is the quiet hero.
What our version breaks
Our version is a blast and would make a great game. But a crossover war pulls the focus off Jack's search for who he is. And Sally gets lost in the battle. The original's climax isn't really Jack versus Oogie. It's Jack realizing he's happiest being himself, and noticing the person who understood him all along.
The lesson
Bigger worlds are exciting. But a story is only as big as its main character's feelings.
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