 Starting off by addressing the nagging* question, “Just how exactly does Santa deliver all those presents over the course of one night?” the film depicts* the seemingly impossible mission by doing it up “Mission: Impossible” style, complete with millions of elves* schooled in covert operations and a high-tech sleigh equipped with stealth* cloaking technology. At the North Pole, Santa’s (Jim Broadbent) headstrong firstborn son Steve (Hugh Laurie) runs the Christmas Eve command with precision* while hoping he will get his aging dad’s job. Despite his not-so-secret ambitions, Steve is destined to be the subordinate Claus while sweet but clumsy younger brother Arthur (James McAvoy) heads up the Letters to Santa Department. But when a wrapped bicycle for a little girl in Cornwall turns out to have missed the big shipment, Arthur, determined that no child be left behind, goes on a mission to personally deliver the present with the help of his not-quite-with-it Grandsanta (Bill Nighy) and his old-school sleigh. In her first feature animated outing, director and co-writer (with Peter Baynham) Sarah Smith not only successfully keeps this intricate operation humming, she instills a welcome female sensibility long missing from the boy’s club that is Santa’s workshop. This time, Mrs. Claus (Imelda Staunton) is no longer the only woman in town thanks to the presence of Bryony (Ashley Jensen), a devoted member of Santa’s Giftwrap Battalion — and likely the only elf ever presented sporting an eyebrow ring — who manages to steal most of her scenes*. Visually, “Arthur Christmas” is splendidly state-of-the-art and vividly appointed right down to the tiniest detail. The frosty atmosphere may at times remind of “Polar Express,” but with much more personality. Keeping the warmly playful tone is Harry Gregson-Williams’ lively score; while Justin Bieber’s Jackson 5-flavored take on “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” manages to sneak along for the ride without feeling out of place. (SD-Agencies) | 