In 2018, Netflix released a holiday movie that was met with half and half reception but was nevertheless still a success seeing that it was viewed by billions of people around the world. There is a great deal of talent associated with this movie including having Chris Columbus as a producer who has written and directed many Christmas movies himself. When I saw this movie back in 2018, I didn’t think it was that good of a Christmas movie. I never hated it but I just didn’t think it was an instant classic especially when compared to some of the more well-known and well-written holidays favorites. Then something happened when I watched it again for this review. I still didn’t think it was amazing, but for some reason, I started to like it even more than when I previously saw it. Despite having problems, this Christmas movie may have more charm and likability than what a previously thought, and that rarely happens.
In Lowell Massachusetts, a widowed mother (Kimberly Willams-Paisly) is struggling to keep the family together after the death of her husband who includes a free-spirited girl named Kate (Darby Camp) and her older teenage troublemaking brother named Teddy (Judah Lewis). When their mother leaves for a job calling on Christmas eve night. Kate and reluctant Teddy try to set up a trap to catch Santa (Kurt Russell) in the act, but end up stumbling across his sleigh as they both climb aboard and stow away. Santa is shocked to find two kids in his sleigh and ends up crashing it in Chicago. To avoid being on the naughty list, Kate and Teddy try to help Santa find his bag of toys which landed somewhere in town, and his eight reindeer who have scattered after the crash. They must hurry though as Christmas spirit is starting to fade and time is anything but plentiful
Now I’m not gonna act like the story is 100% original or even that smart but what the film lacks in originality it more than makes up for in charm and a sense of Christmas spirit that is very visible. There is still a sense that the people behind this movie wanted to tell a fun story that has a good amount of heart and they definitely succeed even if some tropes will seem familiar to some moviegoers. The adventure can be interesting and fun at points but the main heart of the story is Kate and Teddy’s relationship and how they have grown apart since their dad died. It’s handled with respect and I like that the movie isn’t afraid to become vulnerable despite the high-stakes adventure. There are also some corny moments that in any other movie would be inexcusable, however, Corniness is not uncommon in Christmas movies and those kinda moments really put a smile on my face no matter how outlandish they are. If you're looking for something smart and new you won’t find it here, but if you're looking for a good dose of Christmas cheer you will get that in this movie.
The characters are kinda a like-em or don’t like-em kind of deal and that can be understandable seeing as they are characters that you’d most likely find in a typical family movie. Still, I have to give credit to the actors for pulling off the best job they can do and thankfully they all were convincing enough to make them likable and fun. I will say that while both Kate and Teddy can be annoying at times, their conflict and relationship really did feel real and not forced which could have been so easy for this movie to do. It’s one thing to have a sibling relationship that is on the skids, but it's great to see the filmmakers add layers to their conflict. The real show-stealer though was Kurt Russell as the big man himself. He feels like the only character who can break the rules a bit and do things that are magical and mysterious. It will take some getting used to, but trust me when I say that I haven’t seen a more infectious and fresh take on Santa Claus since Tim Allen in The Santa Clause. Then there are the elves, or as I like to call them, the walking minion advertisements. Unlike other bouncy and energetic and characters advertised to the kiddies, I didn’t find them annoying as they are only there for the time they are needed and then never again interrupt the main adventure which is both refreshing and very well needed.
The Cinemotogrpy has all the aspects of a Christmas movie as you are most likely to Christmas decorations plastered everywhere and show falling to the ground. Some of the most creative cinemotogrpy is when the characters get to go to places such as the office of the north pole or flying through the air using a sort of time travel device. The only thing that can be a little distracting though is the CGI effects interacting with the real actors as sometimes it can look fake as it would have been a little easier to switch between practical and digital effects just like in Jurassic Park. the only exception to this rule is the Elves who are cartoonishly designed but adorable as heck. I know those characters were meant to be sold to the kid audience but even as an adult it’s almost not that hard not to fall for their cute antics.
The Music is not anything amazing, but it does get the job done and it’s all thanks to Christopher Beck’s outstanding direction as a composer. Christopher Beck is the same composer who scored the instrumental score for Frozen and it is good to say that he brings everything he can to create something Christmassy yet adventurous.
In a strange way, I’m kinda recommending this movie even despite having some problems that are honestly not as huge as I remembered. Sure, it’s not the greatest Christmas movie ever created but I don’t think that’s what this movie set out to do. It just wanted to be a fun movie with fun characters and wacky shenanigans and it does just that. I think I’ll start watching this movie more often to see how well it will hold up in the next following years. Kids will surely eat it up and adults will find something to appreciate from its well-meaning messages and fun adventure. This is an example of a movie that has actually gotten better with every viewing so let's hope it stays that way for many more Christmas's to come.
(Final Grade: B)