Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane is on the less offensive side of Christmas movie releases but suffers from being far too long at an energy draining two hours. Just when it starts wrapping up another 30 minutes come from nowhere.

Eddie Murphy carries the movie and helps to push it over the line. It is a step up from his previous Amazon Original, Coming 2 America. Jillian Bell is annoying as always but fits in better in this zany christmas movie.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea but Candy Cane Lane passes the time and is at least better than the 50 Hallmark exclusive movies which are soon coming down the pike.

We might like to see Eddie Murphy do adult comedy, but this was surprisingly funny and very entertaining. The humor is a mix of adult and young adult and it's actually pretty nice to see Eddie Murphy do something than R rated comedy. Tracee Ellis Ross also compliments his character very well, she hits with the humor right on time and is used very well and not just a (background) wife. The figurines are hilarious as well! Whenever they hit the screen, I at least smiled and chuckled, the CGI was perfect too! Loved every bit of the premise as well. Could Jillian Bell do better as a villian? Yes. Could they have gotten a better actress for that? Maybe. She doesn't take away from the movie but ties it up in the end for what it was. Enjoy this holiday special, i did and you will!

Candy Cane Lane delivers a festive punch with its spirited competition for the title of the best-decorated house, adding a touch of homey charm to the holiday tale. The unexpected twist involving a mischievous elf banishment brings a hint of symbolism, though I might be delving too deep into it. Nevertheless, the Christmas magic is palpable, complete with 'Parents Just Don't Understand' vibes, vibrant colors, and whimsical decor.

While the humor occasionally falls short in delivery, with jokes teetering on the edge of laughter, the movie brings forth chuckles and witty lines like "You elf'in kidding me." Admittedly, it felt like a subtle ad campaign for Jeep, El Segundo's Candy Cane Lane, and USC-Fight on, I suppose. Despite the cheesy and slightly cringy Christmas love, it's a worthwhile watch during the holiday season. I'd give it a festive 2.5/5 stars - because, after all, 'tis the season for a bit of Christmas movie magic!

As I'm the Grinch of the family it's more difficult to review this Christmas family movie. My wife insists on watching a Christmas movie on Christmas day so I just get along with it. Let just say I was hoping for something like Bad Santa or Le Père Noel Est Une Ordure, the only Christmas classics that I really enjoy watching. Candy Cane Lane isn't that kind of movie unfortunately. It's well made though, especially the little figurines were nicely done. So as for the CGI's that was really good. Storywise it was a bit boring, at least for an adult like me that is fed up with this yearly overly happy period. But for kids this movie will definitely work so I guess it's a good family movie for Christmas day. Eddie Murphy, I've seen him in better movies to be honest. Jillian Bell and Nick Offerman are two comedians I really like and I guess they were okay considering the cheesy plot.

Truthfully I'd watch anything with Eddie Murphy in it - same for Tracee Ellis Ross so maybe I'm biased but we did really enjoy it.

Perhaps the low overall score is because it wasn't laugh out loud funny which we usually expect from Eddie Murphy but rather it was a more traditional take on the Christmas movie with a little claymation mixed in and they did it beautifully.

My kids 6-10 and I 46 all loved it.

Think high concept Christmas adventure around Christmas tradition versus laugh out loud modern Christmas whacky film.

We loved it and I'm surprised to see such a low overall score because the film deserves better.