A Miser Brothers' Christmas

The Miser Brothers—who appeared in the 1974 Rankin-Bass stop-motion animated special The Year Without a Christmas—are back in this nice-looking spin-off that originally aired on ABC Family. Battling brothers Heat Miser and Snow Miser continue to grate on each other's nerves, even after their mom (as in Mother Nature) tells them to make a truce for the family reunion. Mother expects a report from all of her children, but things get off to a strange start when the smarmy North Wind unsubtly suggests that he could take over gifting duties if anything should happen to Santa (the voice of Mickey Rooney, reprising his earlier role). Later, when St. Nick is testing a new super-sleigh, North Wind sends his henchmen to sabotage the vehicle, which then lands smack in the middle of a battle between the Misers (who trade accusations against each other over global warming and the threat of a new Ice Age). But with Santa's back thrown out, the brothers must put aside their differences to work together, even though the North Wind isn't quite finished stirring up trouble. Featuring buoyant tunes and an amiable lesson about cooperation, this new holiday entry bows on DVD with a behind-the-scenes featurette on stop-motion animation. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)