Christmas Drop: operazione regali

This is a great movie with a great cast for what it is. I honestly did not expect it to be this good. It tells a great Christmas and a love story. It also contains a lot of beautiful scenery. This movie is absolutely adorable and gives you a sense of the Christmas spirit of giving back.

As a romantic comedy, this movie is middling... but as a story of members of the Armed Forces finding ways to help others when they themselves are far from home on the holidays - a story that happens to be true - this story is hard to beat.

I really dug this movie for a myriad of reasons. The leads had great chemistry with each, the scenery of Guam was beyond gorgeous and it was something genuinely pleasant to watch. 2020 been stressful enough and sometimes you just want to enjoy a movie that doesn't require you to be invested. Hopefully, this draws more attention to the beautiful territory of Guam and it's people.

This movie wants to come off as a Christmas Romance movie, but it never really gives time to develop the two main characters "relationship", until the very end with a stereotypical kiss ending which feels weird because to the audience the two main characters just feel like new friends instead of love interests. It seems to develop a good friendship between an Air Force Captain and a Congress Aid/Assistant. Together they spread the Christmas spirit and generosity with the help of the service men and woman of the American Air Force. The movie is slow and predictable and feels like it wants to be a lifetime movie or a Christian movie. The "lovers plot" is uninteresting.

Initial Thoughts: In the age old war of Netflix's quantity vs quality. I feel like this film fell on the quality side. Based on the real life, OPERATION CHRISTMAS DROP, this film is definitely a feel good, heart-warming movie that can be enjoyed by the entire family as a month before Christmas, Christmas movie. Though the acting and chemistry between actors seemed almost fake, or forced, they were still able to bring about a decent movie.

Pros: The story, for me, is incredible as it uses the real life OPERATION CHRISTMAS DROP as the inspiration for the movie. Emotions were strong with regards to the Christmas spirit and trying look out for those who struggle, especially around the Christmas season. Though the acting wasn't outstanding, it was just strong enough to bring this one home to a happy ending.

Cons: There was hardly any CGI used in this film, but the little that was is enough to mention. The gecko they used for the film should've been real as opposed to the awkward VR looking one they had. Besides bad CGI the chemistry between actors was weak. On their own they seemed to be great, but the romantic interaction they should've had was not. Any time they were together it felt awkward, forced, and uncomfortable the entire time.

Overall: I'd say if you're looking for a decent quality, family movie that doesn't have a bunch of romance in it, than this one would be for you. Would I recommend watching this film specifically as a Christmas movie? No, I wouldn't, but the story is great as it speaks about being selfless and doing what you can, and what makes you happy, to bringing joy to those around you.