I really enjoyed this special when I was little, and revisiting it again after, ooh, six years I loved it as much as I did even then.The only minor quibble I have is that sometimes the pacing is a tad too slow, but because I enjoyed Olive the Other Reindeer so much I was past caring.The computer animation is highly imaginative, and does have this sophisticated look. Plus it stayed true to the illustrations of the book it is based on.The music is just as delightful. The incidental music is lovely and fitting with every scene and the songs themselves and there are only a few are well above average.The writing is also spot on, and the writers certainly did their homework by allowing the hilarious puns to come thick and fast. And I loved the sweet and heart warming story That just leaves the voice acting. It was marvellous, Drew Barrymore gave a very expressive and heartfelt voice to Olive, who is plain adorable and spirited. Joe Pantoliano was hilarious as the penguin Martini, and Edward Asner is suitably merry as Santa. The villain is a postman bent on ruining Christmas; he isn't the most sophisticated villain ever but he is a funny one. As usual, Dan Castallenetta was great.All in all, an unexpected Christmas cracker. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox

This is a holiday movie that will definitely be a classic in our home. The characters are bright and engaging, the story is warm and delightful but has a unique twist and some modern spunk to it. The animation style is taken directly from the original Olive book but they've made this little 2-D dog very convincing in her 3-D world.This movie appeals to a wide range of viewers, it has funny characters for children, subtle humor for the adults, and the dialog is refreshingly snappy. Olive is hilarious as a dog who doesn't do any "dog" things. Drew Barrymore's voice is perfect for such an innocently sweet, good-hearted animal character. I loved the postman, he makes the most deliciously evil bad-guy. The songs are wonderful; jazzy, catchy and upbeat and you'll be catching yourself singing "Bah, bug and hum" for days.The thing I liked best about this movie is that it wasn't silly, sappy, dark, heavy on the morals or boring. It was just a darling movie about a sweet little dog who wants to do her best to save Christmas.

This has been somewhat overlooked, but it really is a terrific special. It's clever and witty (a characteristic that you don't see enough of these days). Olive is a dog, who thinks she can substitute for one of Santa's reindeer and save Christmas. The choice of villain is inspired -- a mailman who wants to stop Christmas so he won't have to deliver all the cards. Not a lot of big laughs, but it's filled with gentle smiles.The voice work is excellent, and the style is outstanding. There's little attempt to be "realistic," but rather it looks like a picture book (and seems to be sticking closely to the style of the original book).

This show was absolutely hilarious. I sat there, watching it, laughing my rear off every three seconds. I regretted not recording it when it was on Fox. I can't even tell you how hilarious it was. Does it have schmaltz, you ask? that terrible plot ploy that has made several family films into absolute terrors to watch? Heck no! It's simply a funny, adroit film that should be on everyone's shelf. Watch it. 'Nuf said.