I thought this was a very good animated movie! However, it didn't really have much to do with Christmas other than the setting and the characters... but the moral of the story, which was to be thankful for and appreciate those who care about you, was very nice.

I think it's funny that most of the other comments that users left about this movie talk about how terrible it is that Niko's dad had a one-night stand and didn't know he had a son. He's a deer!!! That's what deer do ~ they have many, many partners and make lots of babies!! And if you are convinced that these characters represent humans since they express human emotion, then you need to consider that this situation is a VERY realistic and common occurrence among people. I think that this movie would be great for kids who do not know their fathers, so they can see that others in their life who are there for them are the ones who matter. Other kids (like my son, and he loved the movie) who have both of their parents, may learn from this movie that other kids may not have their dads, and that's just how life is. Kids have to learn at some point that every family is different.

As for the beer-drinking that went on... big deal. The movie was great. We shouldn't be concerned about sheltering our kids THAT much!! Alcohol is shown in Disney movies and other kid movies... I don't know why Americans are so stuck up about these things...(I'm American too, so don't feel bad). We have a lot to learn from the Europeans...

well, i'm not really into Finnish animated movies, but i make an exception for this one. Not because the main character got my name (lol), but cause it's cute, funny and touching. Ya OK, the animation's good but the story somehow seems weak and lacking. However, it did a pretty good job to entertain me cause i really liked it. In this movie, Niko's always practicing to fly like his dad, but the problem is he never met his dad. So, along with Julius, a lazy flying squirrel, he sets out for Santa's Fell to find him. Like i said, the movie's not bad, it's really funny parts in it, especially when Niko drinks a beer and burps. But it also leaves a really good message about how to not give up on your dream, even if u get into trouble. So, i'm gonna give this movie a 8.5 out of 10, cause i think it was really well done even if the story wasn't really strong.

Niko and the Way to the Stars is an animated story of a young reindeer boy Niko, taking place somewhere in Lapland. Niko's father is gone, and his mother tells him dad is a member of Santa's Flying Reindeer Squad. Niko is supervised and taken care of by a flying squirrel named Julius who believes Niko will be able to fly someday, just like his father. The reindeer aren't allowed to go outside the valley because of the wolves who stalk there. After his disobedient visit outside the valley and a consequent incident with the wolves which forces the reindeer to move on, Niko decides to run away and look for his father further north where Santa resides. Adventure ensues.

From a Finn's standpoint this film felt a bit odd. It's written, produced and animated in Finland - yet the Finnish version of the film feels like an American animation film that has been translated and dubbed into Finnish. I wondered about this, but a friend explained to me the film is actually primarily intended for the international, mainly American market, and was written and lip-synced accordingly. Considering the country of origin, I was expecting a bit better Finnish translation though. The characters' lines were full of clumsy Anglicisms. Because of this, I have a feeling that native English viewers will enjoy this film more than Finnish viewers.

At a standard issue family entertainment level this film performs competently. There's family friendly humor and family values, there are no odd quirks, cussing or violence. It's exciting at times, but not too scary for young children. Perhaps with all this it is a bit bland, but still likable.

If you're looking for something to watch with your kids around Xmas, I can recommend this. However, if you're looking for something odd, quirky, eye-opening or original, look somewhere else.