Jingle Bell Run

This Hallmark holiday rom-com stars Ashley Williams as Avery, an elementary school teacher, and Andrew W. Walker as Wes, a former pro hockey player.

Wes signs up for a holiday-themed, cross-country reality competition that begins in Chicago. Avery had no intention of joining the competition, but she decides to compete anyway to inspire her students. They are both chagrined when they learn they are paired as a team, but they make the best of it, and discover that their complementary talents make them a formidable twosome.

The two stars have good chemistry, though the story downplays the romantic side of things. But the ending is predictable. And so is the obligatory relationship "hiccup" that must be overcome in the final ten minutes.

Despite featuring new era Hallmark royalty, this Amazing Race style ripoff fails to capture any semblance of Christmas magic and manages to force a relationship upon us-and the lead characters-that no one wants.

Much like a half marathon that seemed like a good idea when I signed up, I had no interest in finishing the race or this movie. Alas, I trudged through every beautiful, but unremarkable scene.

You know from the beginning that this movie has a bigger budget than a normal Hallmark movie based on the graphics, superior lighting and multiple locations (all though they all look a little like basic Canada). So my hopes were high, but it did not last more than five minutes into the movie.

Our lead, Ashley Williams, is an elementary school teacher whose only personality trait is that she likes to teach kids how to read. Andrew Walker is a shell of a former athlete who doesn't know what to do after retiring from hockey. They both end up participating in a holiday themed game show where they race across the US (not Canada) to answer one question and complete one simple task at each place before magically moving onto the next city for another paint by numbers game show scene. They usually have time to sit by a fire too, and help you nod off.

The driving force behind this movie is the contest they are participating in, but as you would expect, the "will they or won't they" theme is needlessly thrust upon us. These two don't need partners to have fulfilling lives. Honestly, they seem pretty good single. Why mess up a good thing?

From the promotions, I expected this movie to be funny, like the Santa Summit, or Haul out the Holly, but it fails at every turn. Pass on this one.

Questions I still have: Why is the movie called Jingle Bell Run, when the show is The Great Holiday Dash? And they never once say "Jingle Bell Run." Trademark issue? Major issue here.

Why are there never any cameras filming them doing anything? There is a hot hockey guy painting a picture from scratch? Nope. No camera guy caught that for the show! It's small, but the Amazing Race producers must have been choking on their eggnog.

Measuring Christmas Magic: none, despite being focused on a game show that features only holiday traditions.

Cast kudos: none. Don't watch this movie.

Alternative movie titles: The Great Holiday Dash (duh); Forced to Be on a Game Show; finally-Help my friend signed me up for this and I never met the producers until day 1 of filming (ok, that one may be too long, yet no less accurate.)

I'm a big fan of both actors but, unfortunately, this one was a bit of a miss for me. The storyline was not exciting, despite the Christmas race plot and for me the chemistry was just not there. I mean no disrespect to either of them, but they were both too old for the script. Andrew Walker's character was supposed to be in his early 30's just retiring from a hockey career? That just doesn't compute. It's no fault of the actors, but of Hallmark casting. I hope that they find a more suitable storyline next year for two of their best! They deserve a script that serves their considerable talents!

Directed by Lucie Guest and penned by Tom McCurrie and Stephanie Sourapas, "Jingle Bell Run" is a holiday film that combines the spirit of Christmas with the thrill of competition.

The premise of "Jingle Bell Run" is engaging, as it mirrors the structure of popular reality shows like "The Amazing Race." Contestants are pitted against each other in a variety of Christmas-themed tasks that test their teamwork, creativity, and holiday spirit. Williams was good as the dedicated teacher, bringing warmth to her role, while Walker's portrayal of the competitive athlete adds a layer of charm. Their chemistry is questionable, making their journey sometimes feeling fake...

The film's cinematography captures the festive spirit well enough, with vibrant holiday decorations and picturesque winter landscapes that evoke a sense of nostalgia and joy. The pacing is brisk, keeping audiences engaged as the characters navigate through various challenges.

While "Jingle Bell Run" follows a familiar formula, it does so with a refreshing twist that emphasizes the importance of community, friendship, and the true meaning of the holiday season.

Whether you're a fan of reality shows or simply looking for a lighthearted Christmas film, "Jingle Bell Run" could bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

This is one of my favorite movies now. I enjoyed every moment of it. Jingle Bell Run is comical and awesome. And has an amazing cast. Ashley and Andrew have great chemistry, and make a awesome team. I like how Wes and Avery. Became close! And form a unbreakable bond. Also! I was so happy to see Brad in this movie. He is an amazing actor. Hallmark is making some great Christmas movies this year. Keep up the great work! Seeing Avery and Wes. Going across the world was epic. It was a adventure of a lifetime. This movie deserves nothing but positive reviews. Instead of hate! Hallmark rocks. Always!