The Christmas Chronicles 2 movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Christmas Chronicles 2

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour, 55 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A

IN A NUTSHELL:

Directed by Chris Columbus, this Christmas sequel is family-friendly entertainment for all ages that will get you in the magical mood for Christmas. It was also written by him, Matt Lieberman, and David Guggenheim. I enjoyed every minute.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

You have to read subtitles when the elves and others talk “Elvish.”
No profanity. Belsnickel yells, “Bah Humbug!” and Santa corrects him, “Watch your mouth, Elf!” ha ha
Talk of the death of a parent
People and creatures in perilous situations.
While the movie is rated PG, I think most parents will feel comfortable having their younger children watch it.
Kids are given a lot of responsibility in the story, something they can learn from and grow, and something parents should consider doing more often.

THEMES:

Goldie Hawn said about the movie’s main theme of the movie, “Believing is important and believing just by itself makes you happier and healthier. Sometimes it applies to Santa and sometimes it applies to life. And I think that it’s kind of a beautiful thing.”
Marriage, family, parenting
Forgiveness
Courage
“Christmas isn’t about where you are but who you’re with.” – boy in the airport
“The hero was always inside you.” – Mrs. Clause (Goldie Hawn)

THINGS I LIKED:

I’ve been a big fan of Kurt Russell ever since I was a little girl and watched The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. I don’t remember the first time I saw Goldie Hawn but I love her too. This is the first time they’ve starred together in a film since 1987’s Overboard. She made a quick cameo at the end of the first film, but the film studio hadn’t actually written a sequel at the time, but she gets plenty of screen time in this second movie. She said making this movie with Kurt was “a bit of a honeymoon.”
In the first movie THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES, Kurt Russell got to be in a Jailhouse rock sequence. In the sequel, he sings a Christmas duet with Darlene Love, which he said terrified him. He makes for a very kind, tough, cool Santa.
If you like New Zealander Julian Dennison, you might also enjoy his performance in Once Upon a Deadpool (the PG-13 version of Deadpool 2 )
They talk about seeing the Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico. Have you seen them? I got to go many years ago with my hubs and it was awesome. Add it to your Travel Bucket List!
Plenty of Magic
The world-building in Santa’s Village was really cute. It made me laugh when Santa said, “This is Santa’s village…the real one” because, when I was a little girl in California, there was a small amusement park called, “Santa’s Village” that I loved going to. Santa explains in the movie, “If you combine Amazon, FedEx, the postal service, and UPS with every manufacturing company in the world and they quadrupled their output for the entire year, well you just might be getting close to what we can accomplish here in Santa’s Village in a single day.” There is a running gag about calling it “Mrs. Clause’s Village since we’re told that she designed all of the buildings.
I love that there is a touch of Jesus Christ’s birth in the story. Santa explains that the star on top of the Christmas tree is a sliver of the star of Bethlehem, which powers Santa’s village. That’ll do. Better than nothing.
This may be the very first time I’ve ever watched a Christmas movie that talked about how the legend of Santa came to be when he was a bishop in Asia Minor (Turkey).
I’d really love to get some of Mrs. Clause’s recipes. She said she has learned how to make all the food you hate (protein and vegetables) look and taste like all the food you love (dessert). If only that were true… She asks the little boy, “Would you like some broccoli?” and then hands him a plate of beautiful, green cake. ha ha
The talented kids did a great job, featuring Darby Camp, Jahzir Bruno, and Judah Lewis.
The elves are entertaining and provide most of the visual gags.
I laughed every time Mrs. Clause clapped her hands to turn on the lights like The Clapper Sound Activated On/off Switch, 1 Each.
The animation is pretty impressive!
There is one moment when Jack breaks the 4th wall in the film, which was unexpected and funny.
I love directors that include lots of little details. For example, notice the movie that is playing on the theater marquee in Santa’s Village.
You’ll learn a little bit about the Icelandic legend of the Yule Cat.
Lots of action that propel the story forward.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

What happened to “better not pout?” Darby Camp’s character whines because she has to spend Christmas at a beautiful Mexican resort in Cancun. Most of us would quickly trade places with her if it weren’t for Covid travel restrictions, amirite?
The movie gets right down to business without really giving you a lot of information from the first movie. It’s helpful to have seen the first Christmas Chronicles, but this film can absolutely be enjoyed without knowing the full backstories of everyone.

FUNNY LINES:

“I don’t think we’re in Mexico anymore.” – Kate Pierce (Darby Camp)
“During the holidays, airports have some of the lowest Christmas spirit in the world.” – Santa (Kurt Russell)

INTERESTING LINES:

“You don’t need to be an elf to realize that running away doesn’t solve all your problems.” – Kate Pierce (Darby Camp)
“I know nothing happens overnight. One day at a time.” – Bob (Tyrese Gibson)

OTHER MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Also playing on Netflix right now are JINGLE JANGLE and THE PRINCESS SWITCH: SWITCHED AGAIN