Buon Natale da Candy Cane Lane

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.

I'm surprised some reviewers thought this movie was vulgar. I thought it was the first movie I've seen in a long time, directed towards children, that did not have crude remarks and events. (Adam Sandler obviously had nothing to do with making it.) Yes, it does have some obscene words and a few inuendos, but nothing like most movies these days.

The movie's main strength lies in the relationships between the very likable family members. Two of the three kids are teenagers wanting to do their own thing, while the parents, especially Dad, think they know what's best for them. Thankfully, there are no gender issues or other politically correct stuff stuffed into this film. A pleasant surprise for an Amazon movie!

The kids are normal, the parents are normal, family life is normal, until it is not. There's lots of amusing lines and events in the film, but the humor is not that consistant. That's the biggest fault of the story. The evil elf is also neither funny nor scary most of the time. She is mostly irritating. The Christmas breakfast was an anticlimatic ending, too, and we really could have done without the "lady mallard".

In fact, that poor duck, as well as having all the birds in the film as villians, made me take off a couple stars. The Santa in the movie was one of the fun parts, but the funniest line involving him was not in the film itself. When the credits run, watch out for scenes not in the story, the funniest one being what Eddie Murphy says to the Santa.

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.

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.