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I knew they were in trouble when Lindsey Stirling was featured in the previews. Turns out, that was pretty much her entire participation.

This is a story about people in crisis magically visiting a fairy tale land they had all read about as children.

It is very hard to pull off a fairy land in a two hour Christmas movie, and as it turns out, other than an occasional bell ringing, there is very little else to suggest anything special is going on.

A knowing look occasionally is about it.

Ryan Paevey is good in almost everything, and he's pulled some movies out of the fire before. But not this one I'm afraid.

I didn't care for the chemistry with the still-gorgeous Brooke D'Orsay, and I thought her acting was a little spotty in this.

Admittedly hard to do a film like this, but the result was nothing special.

Six.

7.4 stars.

A group of people are whisked (sort of) to a hidden fairy tale village in the middle of nowhere, but apparently somewhere between Idaho and Seattle. I Being a resident of Olympia, this movie piqued my interest a bit more than the average viewer's.

Brooke D'Orsay with her usual schwa de vivre, and Ryan Paevey with his old fashioned charm, are the leading couple. In this story they were best friends as children until her father died and they parted ways for almost 30 years. Coincidentally, they meet in her bookstore and then a few days later they both end up at this peculiar inn due to strange circumstances. There are several other people also who end up at this mystical place "by chance".

The rest of the tale is about odd occurrences and magical things that happen to help each of our guests find purpose, happiness, and love. As the story continues, rumor has it that the fate of this place depends upon specific outcomes being met for each of the various guests. Our leading female has a strong feeling that she's been here before.

Don't expect great romantic chemistry, drama, or excitement, because they are not the intent of this film. This is more of a super light and fluffy version of 'Grimm', or 'Once Upon a Time' with the potential of invoking that feeling you get when immersed in a children's story book (ages 4 and under).

This is a light film with an esoteric feel, importantly it is uplifting, distinctly festive and elevating in a manner most stories fail to accomplish. That is to say it encapsulates the fairy tale of Christmas better than most. And this is not a Santa version, but more like a faerie or elvish angle.

I've been so looking forward to this movie since two of my favorite actors are in it, the adorable Brooke D'Orsay and the Oh so handsome Ryan Paevey with his sexy voice! They did not disappoint. Everyone did a great job acting in this which is a big plus for this or any movie.

This movie deviates quite a bit from the normal Hallmark fare, yes there is Romance 3 romances to be exact but there is a supernatural/fairytale bent to the story, unlike anything they've done before. I liked that this movie had the other couple and Charles who also had issues to overcome instead of the movie solely focusing on Talia and Anderson. It added substance instead of taking away from the main characters.

This movie reminded me a lot of the ABC TV show Once Upon a Time. Nothing is as it seems at least it's not for our 2 couples and the older gentleman who just lost his wife. I really enjoyed the fairy tale feeling of this movie. From the narrator to the hand-drawn looking book pages and chapter introductions, this movie took its name to heart. Which I found endearing.

The town of Wunderbrook, specifically its inhabitants, are so fascinating and raise so many questions - questions far beyond ones I've ever asked about a Hallmark movie. In fact, too many questions are raised about the origins and rules of Wunderbrook to be answered in one Hallmark movie, it also seems a bit rushed especially at the end, this would have been better if it was either a 3 hour movie or a movie with a sequel. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping there is a follow-up next year that explores more of the wonders and mysteries of Wunderbrook and also an update on Talia & Anderson and Charles!

They did wrap the movie up pretty well and most of the questions are answered by the end. You really need to pay attention to what everyone does and says especially the first 15 minutes or so to figure out why things are the way they are. I truly enjoyed it but like I said I think it would have been more enjoyable in two parts, also I think they needed to add more Christmas decorations and more Christmas fun activities it did start to feel a little slow with too much dialogue and not enough activity! In essence, it felt a bit rushed to try and get everyone's story explained and wound up in a tidy bow within 2 hours.

Despite some shortcomings, I did find it a great way to spend 2 hours, I really liked the movie and I do recommend it.

Brook d Orsay and Ryan Paevey.

In a sweet fairy tale, with charming, familiar beginning, with smart references to the dreams about future in childhood, lost parent and the mature wake up. And about way to work of a book in exactly the manner expected/ hoped by so many bookworms.

The result - just a fascinating travel - cure of a couple in profound crisis of marriage, a widower dominated by grief and nostalgia and regrets after the death of his beloved wife , saved by a witch and two childhood friends who, after three decades , descover , in right light, the feelings for each other.

So, charming is fair term for define it, not ignoring the cliches or the too old recipe.

I love stories about writing books or anything adjacent to books. The movie IS a book story, Talia is a writer writing a book, and Talia owns a book shop, so this is a triple yes for me! I love how innocent and imagination Talia is, how Anderson supports her, and the abundance of Christmas festivities in the magical village.

Summary: Talia's father introduces childhood friends Talia and Anderson to the story of Wunderbrook, a Magical Christmas Village where those that have lost their way in the world can find joy and peace. 30 years later, both Talia and Anderson end up staying at the Gingerbread Inn for Christmas where they participate in Wunder Week Christmas festivities and rediscover their joy and true self. The movie is told in chapters like a storybook with book graphics, text, and a narrator.

"Once these special visitors arrive in this place, they experience a Holiday like no other and are reminded of who they really are and the true joy and peace that is the meaning of Christmas." -A Wunderbrook Christmas Story book.

MeetCute: Talia and Anderson are childhood friends and read the book of Wunderbrook together.

Anderson gifts Talia a notebook that says, "Don't Stop Dreaming" while Talia gifts Anderson a copy of the book, A Wunderbrook Christmas Story

As adults, Talia is negatively muttering to herself her doubts about her unpublished manuscript when Anderson enters. Talia spots him and they realize they know each other from their childhood! Talia tells him she is still trying to write fiction and Anderson tells her that he is taking a break from his job as a doctor.

Christmas Festivities: Christmas Tree Lighting Snow Falling Hot Chocolate Tasting Story Hour of an Original Holiday Story Talia & Anderson Dress Up as Santa & Elves Making Christmas Stockings Charles decorates Mildred's Magical Tavern with Christmas Decorations Christmas Market Christmas Bell Procession Night of Wunder Party.