Milroy: Santa's Misfit Mutt

Any animated film that comes with the tag "over 9 years in the making" is, perforce, going to raise great expectations. When those rightful expectations are successively dashed on the levels of animation, character, and plot, reviewers get cranky. In a nutshell, Milroy the Mutt, of unknown origin, is seen escaping from the evil clutches of Boris, the dogcatcher. Segue into a long song, designed to establish Milroy's pitiful situation (first sign that story is in serious trouble). Climbing into Santa's bag, Milroy spends a year at the strangely unpopulated North Pole (just Santa, the Mrs., and the mutt; no elves; one moving toy--a music box, which features a boy holding a stick and a dog--and is the excuse for a long dance sequence). Throw in the last song, during Santa and Milroy's next Xmas Eve excursion, the contrived ending, and the final credits, and there you have it. Except for one sequence where Santa steps into pots of paint, all of the mishaps are averted right at the point where serious animation would begin. 9 years? Humbug! Not recommended.