It’s the most wonderful time of the year … for those who are not in the trenches with finals. As a freshman, I am just now experiencing the struggle every college student faces in December: a lack of Yuletide joy. I have learned that in order to rekindle my Christmas spirit I must go back to my roots and watch the holiday classics. One of the most ridiculous yet endearing Christmas specials from my childhood is the animated “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” from 2000. Unfortunately, many people do not know of this masterpiece.
As the title suggests, the 50-minute holiday special is based on the hit song “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by Elmo Shropshire. Many people, including grandmothers, found this song to be offensive. This animated special gives a new spin on and more context for the whole reindeer incident. The film has changed my perspective on the song.
The movie revolves around the Spankenheimer family in Cityville. Most of the family is concerned with making Christmas convenient, forgetting the classic holiday traditions. They do not want to be concerned with all the decorating, shopping or delivering. For instance, the family puts up a blowup tree with ornaments and a star already on it, somewhat similar to the inflatable tree in North Dining Hall.
One of the main conflicts in the movie lies in the Spankenheimer store, which sells all kinds of seasonal goodies. When the richest man in the city, Austin Bucks, makes an offer to buy it, Grandma and Jake Spankenheimer refuse. Greedy Cousin Mel, who clearly has romantic interest in the businessman, is horrified by Grandma’s decision. She goes to lengths to sabotage Grandma, even putting a mysterious substance in her fruitcake.
On the night when Grandma is about to deliver the fruitcakes contaminated with the “bad stuff,” she is treating herself to plenty of eggnog even though she has an egg allergy. Her allergy medicine is all out, so she plans to pick up more during her trip. As she heads out, the family begs her not to go, but she does not listen.
Of course, Grandma gets hit by a reindeer! Jake witnesses the accident from his bedroom window and alerts the whole family. Grandpa, on the other hand, watches the attack and does nothing to help his wife. On Christmas morning, they inspect the scene and see Grandma’s imprint in the snow. Law enforcement declares Grandma as missing, and for almost a year she is gone.
If you thought the movie was already crazy, it is about to get crazier. The following Christmas, Jake emails Santa and asks him for Grandma. Santa gets this email and sends Quincy the elf to bring Jake to the North Pole to visit Grandma. She has been in bed at the North Pole for months suffering from amnesia.
Santa, Quincy and Jake bring Grandma back to Cityville, but when Cousin Mel finds out, she kidnaps Grandma so that she can sell the store without Grandma’s interference. Santa also gets arrested and put on trial for running over Grandma. I am truly not making this up — this all goes down in the course of 50 minutes.
With Grandma’s shop and Santa’s freedom at stake, Christmas could be ruined forever. I would not like to spoil this any further, so please do yourself a favor and gather with your friends for a study break to watch this iconic film. It is ideal for its shorter length and the utter randomness that will intrigue you and your mates.
