Olive, the Other Reindeer

Based on the book by J. Otto Siebold and Vivian Walsh, this Matt Groening (The Simpsons) co-produced computer-animated holiday special finds a big-hearted little dog named Olive (voiced by Drew Barrymore) rushing to the North Pole after misunderstanding Santa's call for "olive [i.e., 'all of'] the other reindeer" to help pull the sleigh on Christmas eve while Blitzen's laid up. A very cute premise is hurt somewhat by typical Simpsons-like hipness/meanness, including a reference to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as an "urban legend" (the classic Rankin/Bass production runs circles around this puppy). Still, a top drawer voice cast (including Joe Pantoliano, Ed Asner, and Michael Stipe) nudge this ultimately well-meaning tale, which includes a "making of" featurette, into the recommended column. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)