The Very First Noel

Andy Griffith provides the voice of wise man Melchior (“part astrologer, and half-a-cup magician, just a touch of doctor, and a fraction mathematician”) in this short but sweet CGI-animated adaptation of the Nativity story. While the characters look a bit like Lego people, The Very First Noel serves up bright colors, rhyming stanzas, and neat sound effects (of animals, town noises, etc.) to tell the familiar tale of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus Christ. Griffith's homey inflection, a number of kid-friendly narrative touches (for instance, King Herod is deemed “one Grade-A super creep”), and a peppy festive soundtrack featuring The Brothers Cazimero (a Hawaiian music duo with a cool 12-string guitar sound) combine to make this a fine holiday program. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)