Rescuing Christmas

Wanted to love it, but the cast didn't grab, hold my attention. I found myself doing other tasks while checking back in periodically. Sam Page is a good anchor, but felt monotonic in this particular offering. Rachel Leigh Cook appeared a bit off, perhaps being executive producer took away from her usual shine. The ending seemed to be a bit of cut ins pasted together to wrap up the ends. The elves were annoying which in an odd way brought some sort of emotion. The optics of a non White Santa was irksome. Non White, female, Christmas overlord was bothersome. In fact, a good reason to downgrade further.

"Rescuing Christmas" is the kind of movie that you watch with a mug of hot chocolate and zero expectations. It's a classic Hallmark-style holiday film that doesn't reinvent the sleigh but offers a cozy, predictable ride. The plot is as fluffy as freshly fallen snow - Santa wanting to boost holiday spirit is heartwarming, and the choice of Erin, a Christmas grinch, as the recipient of three wishes is a neat twist. The elves, Chuck and Debbie, are delightfully quirky, adding a sprinkle of elfish charm to the story.

The film's strength lies in its simplicity. It's a feel-good, easy-watch movie that doesn't demand much from its audience. Erin's journey from a Scrooge-like character to someone who embraces the holiday spirit is predictable, yet satisfying. The chemistry between Erin and Sam, the charming love interest, is sweet, albeit a tad cliché. It's the kind of film where you know exactly what you're going to get, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

However, there's a surprising edge to this G-rated holiday fare - a rogue "damn" that slips through. It's a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but it's amusing to think how this little slip-up got past the censors. It doesn't detract from the film's family-friendly vibe, but it does raise an eyebrow. Overall, "Rescuing Christmas" is like a well-worn Christmas sweater - familiar, comfortable, and just right for a lazy December evening. Just don't expect it to be the star on top of your holiday movie marathon.

Two elves convince (an unconventional) Santa Claus to let them rekindle Christmas spirit by giving someone three wishes ... as long as the wishes aren't outrageous ... like wishing for a million dollars.

The only issue with the movie is that it takes far too long to get to the crux of the story, which is when our female lead wishes away Christmas. This is a bit too similar to another 2023 film where the female lead ALSO wishes away Christmas. In both movies, they have to start convincing people to take the holiday back on ... albeit in slightly different ways.

But ... no outrageous wish ... yet wishing away Christmas is allowed. LOL

This movie doesn't really hit its stride until the third wish which cancels out Christmas and she has to try to recreate the holiday using whatever they can find, since dedicated Christmas decorations don't exist. That gets a bit humorous.

Dialogue is also good. Definitely worth the watch.

A jaded, stressed out woman wants a break from all the festivities and obligations of Christmas. In a moment of fury, she wishes for it to all just go away. The next morning, she wakes up to find that all the Christmas decorations in town are gone, and nobody except her has any memory of the holiday. She then scrambles to revive Christmas.

It's a funny idea -- having the protagonist reintroduce Christmas to her family and to the town, and they point out how absurd the holiday traditions sound.

The male love interest is very likable in this movie. And the actor playing jolly old Saint Nick did an excellent job.

The radio intern emerged as the unequivocal star of the movie, delivering a performance that not only breathed life into a lackluster storyline but also set a standard of excellence that the other actors failed to match. His acting prowess, marked by a professional and captivating demeanor, showcased a rare talent that surpassed the mediocrity of the film's lead characters, Sam and Erin. While the radio intern's authenticity and refreshing presence enriched every scene, the shortcomings in the performances of Sam and Erin were glaring. In comparison, the radio intern's unbothered attitude and nuanced portrayal stood out, highlighting his superior acting abilities and making him the true highlight of the production. His contribution was not just commendable; it was a masterclass in elevating a movie beyond its limitations.