The Christmas Quest

Right, well I didn't really know what I was in for here, I mean, sure I figured it was a Christmas movie given the movie's title, and since it was a Hallmark movie.

But writers Andrew Gernhard, Marcy Holland and Dustin Rikert broke the traditional Hallmark sappy Christmas movie and delivered something very different. This was sort of a strange hybrid of sappy Christmas movie meets "Indiana Jones". And truth be told, I actually liked it. It was a refreshing change of pace for Hallmark, and it was actually an entertaining storyline that the writers had pieced together. So color me entertained throughout the course of the 84 minutes that the movie ran for.

Sure, there were many things throughout the movie that just didn't really make much of any sense, but this is a movie meant for entertainment, not to be a study in science and human behavior.

It was nice to see a Hallmark movie taking place somewhere outside of USA. Iceland was quite a nice setting for the movie, but of course, it had to be there, given the contents of the storyline.

Of the entire cast ensemble, I was only familiar with leading actress Lacey Chabert, whom actually carried this role quite well. I will say that the acting performances in the movie were good, and it was nice to see so many Icelandic talents on the screen. I just wonder why they weren't speaking more Icelandic throughout the course of the movie. But of course keeping it English appeals to a broader audience.

Visually, then the movie was good. I really liked the Icelandic scenery, because it added so much beauty and grace to the movie.

If you enjoy Christmas movies, and looking for something that breaks the traditional sugar-coated sappy Hallmark formula, then "The Christmas Quest" could be a movie to check out. I was genuinely entertained throughout the course of the entire movie.

While "The Christmas Quest" doesn't have the contents to become a Christmas classic, I will say that it is a movie that is well-worth sitting down to watch a single time.

My rating of director Dustin Rikert's 2024 movie "The Christmas Quest" lands on a six out of ten stars.

6.9 stars.

Whether it's the failed attempt at a thrilling treasure hunt, or a half hearted romance, this story is a little of both and a lot of nothing. Why attempt this kind of impact if you know you can't deliver? Indiana Jones this is not.

It's a strange concoction of quest and scenery, but the scenery in Iceland is cold and heartless. If you want to embark on a real adventure, you need more rugged and harsh surroundings, not some fluffy Hallmark set pieces and fake artifacts.

The two main characters are divorced and that alone is a mood killer. It changes the love paradigm to more of a tense conflict and less of a hopeful and romantic experience.

Next, the casting is way off. Chabert does not fit the role, yet insists on portraying hard-core risk taking, adrenaline infused women. He plays the male role sufficiently, but what this film needs are two totally different leads.

The music was good for an adventure and evokes the appropriate mood, but it caters to a more action packed blockbuster and not some awkward Hallmark attempt at an epic journey through the pages of Icelandic lore.

I know they can do so much better, but Hallmark has to preserve their signature props and cinematography schemes and they don't fit the mold for gritty adventure.

It is the Christmas season. Norse experts, Stefanie Baxter (Lacey Chabert) and ex-husband Chase Baxter (Kristoffer Polaha), go to Iceland to search for the legendary Yule Lads. She is following her mother's research while others are in pursuit. She just doesn't have a gun.

First, there are a lot of Icelandic words. I don't know any of them. I can't remember them. It is in one ear and out the other. Some of the local customs are interesting, but it's almost the same thing. I know that this is a Hallmark movie. They are not going to do gunfights, but they could generate some thrills. At last, the Hallmark gene is too strong and there is no urgency in this quest. They are more likely to take a leisurely walk than go running and jumping.

Hallmark's sanitised take on Indiana Jones or perhaps Lara Croft, features two big stars: the Queen of Christmas Lacey Chabert and Kristoffer Polaha, fresh off his starring role in 2023's 'A Biltmore Christmas'.

The chemistry between the two leads - who are divorced when they team up to hunt for legendary treasure in Iceland around Christmas, battling some not-really-evil bad guys along the way - is strong. They are both accomplished actors, and their banter is effortless.

But, man, the final reveal really sucked the life out of things, and left me shaking my head. Talk about a letdown! Yikes. Ninety minutes invested...for that? No bueno.

This movie is worth watching for the great shots of Iceland scenery, and just for the novelty of a film shot in Iceland, with bits of Icelandic culture thrown in for good measure.

We have a distinct Indiana Jones style flavor her, with that heroic character even mentioned out loud, as a rich sponsor convinces Lacy, and archeologist, to unravel clues and find a treasure hidden hundreds of years ago.

Polaha plays a language expert, and her ex-husband, reluctantly recruited to join her and translate the clues they will find as they follow a puzzle step by step around the island.

Forget that the clues are in places that would have been found LONG ago, the movie is fun and certainly worth your time.