Three Wisest Men

7.3 stars.

If you like this sort of Christmas movie, I think you will totally fall in love with this third film in the series. It doesn't appear they are planning on doing another one, feels like they sealed it up, but you never know. On the other hand, it's Hallmark, they could make a huge thing out of these and produce another three or even five of the "Three Wise Men" franchise. It could be the next "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" without the Postables. Probably not, but who knows.

If you liked the first one in this series, you will probably like this one. The second one was bad, but I think this one made up for it a little and was fun enough. They included all the same characters with a few additions, the kid is older, the boys (men) are slightly wiser, one is engaged, the other is having twins, the third is offered a huge promotion. It's just a nice sentimental Christmas tale that the whole family will enjoy, not for the plot or the romance (there is little substance to those), but for the family Christmasy feeling, along with a bit of brotherly buffoonery.

I won't be watching this again, because it's too cliche and similar to the first two, but that's just my personal opinion. I feel like A LOT of people will love this. Just a hunch.

Tyler Hynes and Erin Karpluk are by far my favorites in these movies.

There quirky chemistry with each other is off the chart. But this movie did not take advantage of this at all.

I believe they make a movie with the two of them where they do move San Francisco and their wackiness is on full display!

If you like grown men acting like 5 year olds, then you will like this movie. They all have some degree of neurosis also.

Throw in a stereo-typical judgmental father-in-law.

Plus three couples where the men are disappointing their female partners.

I am sure some people enjoy this kind of comedy, but it is definitely not to my taste.

There is a lot to say about this movie. The main theme is "Mom is selling the family house so let's have the best last Christmas ever," but there are many subplots here that are all very interesting, entertaining, and concisely written by Paul Campbell, Kimberley Sustad, and Russell Hainlain once again. Campbell, Hynes, and Walker are three of Hallmark's most accomplished actors, but here you really feel like you are just watching the Brenner boys. That is quite an accomplishment for those three - to create characters who are so vivid and unique that the viewer gets totally engaged in them. The women are all back and give very endearing performances. The writers wisely gave Margaret Colin, as the mother, more to do here and, as in the first two movies, she is outstanding. The best Hallmark mother ever. As the grandson Tommy, Miles Marthhaller is one of Hallmark's best child actors - very natural and engaging. Many of the supporting characters from the first two movies show up in surprising ways - thanks to the excellent writing and they are all very good, particularly Matt Hamilton as neighbor Mark and Ali Liebert as Fiona. And Sustad does her funny cameo as the doctor. The new character is Bob - the possible ornery father-in-law - and he is really quite good.

This movie works because of the funny and sentimental writing, the nice production values and sets, the spirited direction by Terry Ingram, and a talented cast of major and minor players who are all wonderful. It's one of Hallmark's best Christmas gifts - hopefully, the gift that keeps on giving.

THREE WISEST MEN I Third in the Christmas-family series, Three Wisest Men is more of the same Hallmark-esque gloss and hijinks. Even though all three leads have pedigree in the genre they still are all acting in separate films and never feel as gelled as the script wants them too. Margaret Colin continues to be a commanding presence as their mother. Terri Ingham's direction is typical copy/paste of similar movies before it.