Three Wiser Men and a Boy

This is a comedy and at times a little awkward...but in part I think that is what makes it a cute family friendly Hallmark holiday film. This story reunites the cast from 2022's Three Wise Men and a Baby...the three brothers Luke (Andrew W. Walker), Taylor (Tyler Hynes), and Stephan (Paul Campbell), their mother Barbara (Margaret Colin) and Luke's son Thomas. The cast is wonderful and clearly has fun working together which is a large part of the charm in this comedy about brotherly rivalry, family, and being their for one another.

The mom introduces the boys to her new boyfriend...the seemingly perfect pastor Roy (Christopher Shyer), which is one cause the three brothers can unite on...getting rid of Roy. And Luke asks for some help with his son Thomas as he is temporarily single parenting while his wife is out of town. This includes help bringing snacks to Thomas' play practice that ends in a school disaster and the three brothers having to be in charge of rescuing the school's Christmas show which is a play on the Grinch Who Stole Christmas called The Grump.

Lots of holiday sets and clean fun, this film surprised and delighted me in the best way. If you are looking for a lighthearted family friendly hallmark holiday film...this might just be it.

Three Wiser Men and a Boy is a delightful sequel that perfectly captures the magic of Christmas with humor, heartfelt moments, and family drama. The Brenner brothers' chaotic journey to save a school play is filled with laughs, while their bond showcases the true essence of the holidays. Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, and Andrew Walker shine in their roles, delivering performances that feel authentic and relatable. The subplot about their mother's new romance adds emotional depth and unexpected comedy. From festive musical scenes to touching family moments, this film offers something for everyone. It's a holiday treat that's perfect for the whole family. Want to know why it's become a Hallmark favorite?

Two years ago Hallmark put three of their regular Christmas romance actors together in one movie as an odd set of brothers, and the formula meshed. We found the movie to be inventive and surprising, and Tyler Hines stole the show with his understated performance but impeccable comic timing.

Two years later the story has moved five years in the future, and sadly, this story just tried to do too much. That made the presentation fractured, with not enough weight on any of the story elements to really give them the time and detail they deserved.

The objection to the mother's new paramour was trite. Tyler Hines' romance was fun, but we got too little of it. The Christmas show was amusing, but again, too little to really get to know the kids involved.

This needed to be two or three movies to do justice to everything they tried to bring across, but only delivered the "lite" versions.

It won't be a repeat watch for us.

Nicely written again by Paul Campbell and Kimberley Sustad, along with Russell Hainline, the brothers are back along with most of the cast from the first "Three Men" movie. Everyone is excellent here - even the outcast kids who are cute and funny without being overbearing.

The standouts are Paul Campbell and Fiona Vroom as the anxiety ridden couple, Stephan and Susie, and Margaret Colin as the brothers' mother, Barbara. Campbell has a particularly hilarious scene when he has to sit down to dinner with Barbara'a new boyfriend and his interactions with Susie are quite endearing as they both struggle with their emotions. Colin's Barbara is still direct and matter-of-fact yet sweet and good-hearted. Colin excels in this role and her characterization of Barbara may be the best mother ever in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Who wouldn't want a Mom like her ? The producers and director had the good sense to feature many of same locales and sets as in the first movie, which provides some nice continuity so you really feel like you are re-visiting this family. It may not be as perfect as the first movie, but It is definitely a worthy sequel - and it just makes you want to see more of this cast and their characters. A third one would be very welcome. They just have a way of really putting you in the Christmas spirit.

6.6 stars.

I feel like this is a confused film. It's as if it's trying to continue from where the last one left off, while trying to convince us that five years have elapsed. However, I don't feel familiar with the brothers or the story at all. It feels foreign.

When I saw the first one, I felt similar, as if it was too silly with no plot. But I rewatched and it was better. I'm not sure if I have to watch this one again for it to improve, but I'm not feeling up to the challenge at this point. I have a gut feeling it is not going to get any better.

The plot is weak. And the way they orchestrate this children's Christmas play is strange. Would grown men actually be so inept? I'm watching three adult men bumble like adolescents. I thought they grew up by now. They actually regressed.

The story doesn't flow and contains some exquisitely slow moments. It's hard to blow a movie with so many great actors.