IN A NUTSHELL:
A divorced social worker takes his daughter on a crazy ride along with him on Christmas Eve.
This Christmas caper is directed by Tim Story and written by Scott Rosenberg.
THINGS I LIKED:
One of the characters says that Ludacris looks like John Legend. Do you think so? Seeing him in a family-friendly holiday movie sure mixes things up from his usual high-octane action movies.
Lil Rel Howery offers an entertaining Santa Claus, including a little ring dipped in white on his requisite beard.
Madison Skye Validum is totally adorable as Charlotte. I'm sure we'll see her in much more, as she's quite a natural.
The rest of the cast did a good job and included Oscar Nunez, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Ravi Patel, Kevin Connolly, Teyonah Parris, and more.
There is plenty of Christmas decor and spirit in this goofy holiday offering.
Fun costume design by Salvador Perez Jr.
The movie was filmed in Atlanta. I lived in a suburb north of Atlanta for 15 years and loved it there. Southern hospitality is a real thing.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
The villains are completely ridiculous and innocuous.
It's pretty doggone predictable and filled with cliches.
It's an occasionally amusing distraction you'd put on the TV for the kids to watch while you're in the other room wrapping presents.
Disney worked very hard at diversity. They should have worked harder at writing a good script. Did Chat GPT write this one during the writers' strike in Hollywood?
Unfortunately, the movie is forgettable.
TIPS FOR PARENTS:
It's family-friendly.
Talk about believing in Santa Claus
Lots of shenanigans and chaotic action
Talk of dishonest politicians
Talk of a home invasion
Talk of a divorced family
An adult talks about going to therapy.
