A Christmas to Remember is the very first feature length Bob the Builder movie, released in 2001 (Hibbert, 2001). After thoroughly enjoying the family drama that is Bob the Builder: Knights of Fix-A-Lot, I had to revisit Bobsville to see what happened with Bob reunites with his twin brother Tom. In comparison to Fix-A-Lot, this movie has many more storylines happening simultaneously.
We start the movie with Bob driving a snowmobile in the Antarctica. Turns out, it is actually Bob’s twin brother Tom and he’s coming to see Bob for Christmas. Bob is thrilled with this news as he rarely sees his brother. So much so that Tom has never even spoken to Wendy, as Bob introduces her as ‘his friend’ to Tom. Bob shows an old video to Wendy about a Christmas when Tom and him were little. Meanwhile, the whole vehicle gang are decorating the yard ready for Christmas.
This is where we start to see multiple storylines happen. Bob goes to get his Santa suit cleaned (he dresses up each year to give out presents). Wendy, Muck, Scoop and Lofty go to cut down a tree for the town Christmas tree. Tom is preparing to leave Antarctica and get a plane home. Spud decides to help Wendy with the tree. Meanwhile, Dizzy and Rolly meet the local rock star Lennie Lazenby, who will be playing at the town’s Christmas party. Whilst helping the band, Rolly meets John Elton (voiced by Elton John) who is an aspiring songwriter who can’t seem to finish him song about rocking. Rolly decides to help him figure out his song because as any true fan knows, Rolly is a songwriter. Rolly suggests that he writes about an animal and the two brainstorm ideas.
Bob gets called into the mayors office and she demands that he builds a stage for the concert. Bob is reluctant to say yes as he wants to hang out with Tom but is too nice to say no. Meanwhile, Wendy is putting the tree up outside the mayor’s office when Spud climbs onto it. This crashes the tree into the office, breaking the window and the roof. The mayor blames Bob and tells him he needs to fix it. On the other side of the world, Tom shows a childhood video to his dog. Turns out that Bob fixed his toy elephant for him when they were little and he still keeps it with him today.
Tom goes out for a trip on Scoot (his snowmobile) before leaving. This is when he finds an abandoned reindeer. Tom attempts to reunite the reindeer with their mum but in doing so he misses the boat to Bobsville. Meanwhile, Spud has some weird romance with the town’s Christmas fairy and breaks her. Spud decides to take the place of the fairy and sits on top of the tree. Bob finishes his work but is gutted to find out Tom is no longer coming for the holiday. Wendy decides to fly to Antarctica, pick Tom up and fly him back. John Elton then sings the entirety of crocodile rock. Bob forgets to be Santa but Tom takes his place, reuniting the two brothers. Bob kisses Wendy to thank her.
Now compared to the previous movie, this was much better. There was so much going on and it left little time for annoying characters such as the vehicles and Spud. Bob continues to be very relatable as he never turns down a job: similar to Tom. Wendy’s gift to Bob is very sweet and shows how much she truly cares about him. I’m not sure why Elton John is in the movie but I did enjoy the song.
It was very exciting to see Bob kiss Wendy. It really does lean into their being more to their friendship, regardless of Bob friend zoning her earlier in the movie. The animation is beautiful throughout the movie, using subtle movements to make the town feel real. It is a shame that Tom is hardly ever brought up again within the series as their relationship could’ve been really good for younger audiences. I would definitely recommend this one over Fix-A-Lot as it has way more to offer.
Max
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