The Holiday Day season is a time when we are attacked with a barrage of holiday-themed shows or movies that try to remind us of what is important. While some of these feel repetitive and uninspired, An Almost Christmas Story breaks away from the mold and gives us a fresh tale that shows us what is really important during the holiday season. 

In An Almost Christmas Story, we are introduced to the young owl, Moon, voiced by Cary Christopher, and their family. They all live in a tree in the forest. One day they are attacked by an eagle and Moon hurts one of their wings and takes refuge in a tree. Papa Owl, voiced by Jim Gaffigan, tells Moon to stay there until they return and in that time the tree is cut down and taken to Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. 

In the city, Moon tries to find their way home and they meet a motley group of pigeons that question Moon and why they are in the city. Through a series of events Moon meets Luna, voiced by Estella Madrigal, a young child walking the New York Streets. Luna decides she will help Moon get back home. Luna connects with Moon because of her broken wing. Luna has a prosthetic leg and this bonds her with the small owl. Although Moon’s injury is only temporary, Luna does all that she can to help Moon on her journey home. 

An Almost Christmas Story is a fun journey through New York City through the eyes of an owl and a young girl. Together we are shown how two individuals can connect and work together for a common goal. While we do not learn much about Luna until the final moments of the short, it is delightful to see how open she is to helping Moon. For Luna, the most important thing about the holiday season is spending it with those you love, and hopefully, more people will feel the same way after watching this short film. 

Final Thought: An Almost Christmas Story is a beautiful tale of belonging and family. Following Moon and Luna around New York City is a fun way to see what is important during the holiday season. The look of the short really stands out remarkably. If you have not seen the other two holiday shorts produced by Alfonso Cuarón, The Shepherd and Le Pupille, I highly recommend them. 

Kid Friendly: Yes, kids will appreciate the story and the theme of belonging.

Violence: There is no violence in the short film but there are tense moments with Papa Owl and an eagle. 

Moon, a curious young owl, finds herself trapped in a Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Trying to escape the city, Moon befriends a lost little girl named Luna. Together, they embark on an adventure.