The Christmas Chronicles

Now, initially I had some aversion to sitting down and watching "The Christmas Chronicles" even though it was readily available on Netflix for me to watch. Why? Well, it is a Christmas movie, and they have an overwhelming tendency to be so sappy that even pine tress go "no, I ain't touching that sticky thing", and also because I didn't really think Kurt Russell would be suited for a Christmas movie.

My curiosity got the better of me and I decided to watch in on December 24th, you know, just to get into sappy Christmas mood. And let me tell you, I am really happy that I decided to watch "The Christmas Chronicles".

Why? Well, first of all, this movie was devoid of the usual Christmas sappy storyline where a girl falls in love and have to traverse hardships and always end up in the arms of the man that is out of reach on Christmas morning. This movie was all fun, all excitement and all Yule tide spirits. I actually will go as far as saying that "The Christmas Chronicles" actually have potential to become a Christmas classic - one of the type of Christmas movies that you watch year after year, up alongside "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation".

"The Christmas Chronicles" is definitely a family movie, but it is also a movie that you can enjoy without the family around you, because it caters to a wide array of audience. There is something in the movie for everybody.

There is actually a great amount of fun, action and thrills throughout the course of the movie, and you don't feel that the movie ever loses its momentum or becomes slowed down and turning dull. I must admit that I was wholeheartedly entertained from start to end.

Now, let's venture on to the role of Santa Claus as portrayed by Kurt Russell. I grew up watching him in action movies, so I didn't really want to embrace him in a role such as this. But I was proven so wrong, because he did this so amazingly well. He was really a nice cast for the role, and he brought his own rugged charm and spirit to the Santa character, and I loved that. So my Christmas hat off for Mr. Russell in his performance in "The Christmas Chronicles".

The singing and dancing scene was something I initially felt weird about, but oh man that quickly caught on and grew on you. And I ended up loving that scene, because it is full of energy, it is a catchy song, and Kurt Russell delivers the song and dance so well.

All in all, "The Christmas Chronicles" is a movie that you owe to yourself and your family to sit down, either alone or together, and watch, because it is definitely a fun and wholehearted Christmas movie.

This movie definitely helped put some cheer on my day...

We watched this as we let out thanksgiving meal settle. It was the perfect choice for the kids (age range 5-12) and the parents. The acting was fine and the jokes were funny. I even got a little choked up at times when they talked about their recently deceased dad. All in all, a fine film. Probably not an instant classic, but good enough to watch and not feel like I wasted 1.5 hours of my life. I loved the new interpretation of elves as almost gremlin-like creatures.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018) starts with a straightforward plot: two kids set out to catch Santa Claus on camera. Despite the simplicity and potential clichés in such an idea, the film manages to deliver an enjoyable and engaging Christmas experience with a smart approach and solid structure.

The film's storyline flows smoothly and keeps the audience engaged. Although the core of the plot is simple, the movie builds tension and excitement through a lively narrative. One of the highlights is Kurt Russell's portrayal of Santa Claus; he brings charisma and uniqueness to the role, presenting Santa as an energetic, confident, and memorable character, different from traditional portrayals of Santa in film.

Beyond Russell's strong performance, the film's production design, costumes, and soundtrack all enhance the Christmas ambiance, creating a vivid, magical atmosphere. The music and design elements add layers of enjoyment that contribute to the film's holiday spirit.

However, the movie does face some issues with logical inconsistencies and temporal mismatches. While The Christmas Chronicles is a fantasy, which allows for some suspension of disbelief, a few plot points could disrupt the story's rhythm, breaking immersion for the viewer. Though minor, these inconsistencies detract slightly from the film's overall impact.

Despite these minor flaws, The Christmas Chronicles remains a delightful, modern Christmas film, ideal for family viewing during the holiday season. With a unique Santa portrayal and a storyline full of festive adventure, it's highly recommended for holiday entertainment.

Kurt Russell brings total coolness to the magic of Santa. Without Russell's personality, it wouldn't feel original but his presence brings the story to life. Some moments feel a little twee admittedly but a lovely tale with just the right amount of wit and character from the young actors.

Excellent fun! Enough humour for kids and adults. Anyone not liking this is definitely on the naughty list!

Kurt Russell probably had more fun with this movie than anything else he has ever done.

Going to be a Christmas classic...you'll see.