Jingle All the Way 2

WWE Studios has had an abnormally prolific year, getting one of their films in theaters (Oculus), resulting in respectable box office numbers, and churning out three direct-to-DVD efforts, all of which sequels or some sort of continuation of another preexisting entity. In just a little over two months, WWE Studios has released a prequel to the Leprechaun franchise, a sequel to See No Evil, and, perhaps the strangest release in their catalog thus far, a sequel to the Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle Jingle All the Way starring Larry the Cable Guy. One takes a look at the DVD cover art for the film and regards it with a certain disdain, as they see a thrown together, and slightly disturbing image of Larry the Cable Guy and Kennedi Clements, before cringing and, likely, passing by it with no further comment or thought. I simply couldn't leave it alone.

For starters, I always hear the complaint about some actors never leaving their comfort zone or sticking to being typecast in certain roles, like Michael Cera in the awkward schoolboy roles and Channing Tatum in the man-candy ones. However, home come few address Larry the Cable Guy's inability to be anyone besides his one-note joke character in films? He has found ways to appear in a Madea film, a sequel to The Rock's Tooth Fairy, and two Cars films, plus an abundance of short films, playing no one other than his redneck archetype and consistently showing how a cute idea descends into tedium if not properly carried out. My personal problem with Larry the Cable Guy is a newfound one, for I used to find him amusing, is the fact that he is a man entirely made out of a joke that has been stretched threadbare for years and it was a joke that wasn't worth more than momentary amusement.

Larry the Cable Guy plays none other than a character named Larry in Jingle All the Way 2, a ne'er-do-well father, who is desperately trying to be his daughter's favorite male figure now that, following what we can see was a fairly mild divorce brewed from minor inconvenience, Victor (Brian Stepanek), a wealthy businessman, has now entered in her life as her stepfather. Larry's daughter Noel (Kennedi Clements) is anticipating Christmas a lot this year because, judging from her private letter to Santa Claus, she wants a stuffed teddy bear named Harrison, which happens to be the season's hottest toy. Upon discovering this, Larry makes it his mission to not only give Noel a memorable Christmas but to find a Harrison Talking Bear, which proves difficult once Victor realizes his plan and begins to buy out each store's stock of Harrison bears.

The original Jingle All the Way was never a holiday favorite of mine, as it offput me with its materialistic mindset and massively contentious story given it's a Christmas film, but Jingle All the Way 2 finds ways to be even more offputting given its lack of any redeemable characters and ridiculously overblown story. As we constantly see Larry being beaten by Victor seconds after he acquired an entire store's lot of Harrison bears, we question why he doesn't just order the bear online or ask the store manager to reserve one for him. In addition, watching two grown men fight like children for ninety minutes does not make for a good film whatsoever. If we're not seeing Larry breathlessly race around and passive-aggressively speak with Victor, we must endure the same kind of jokes that Larry the Cable Guy has made a career out of making, only this time, set in the context of a Christmas film.

Jingle All the Way 2 isn't frustratingly bad, because, if you sit down to watch it, you've already questioned "why?" numerous times, regarding the film's production, existence, and thought-process, but it completely avoids any and all likability when you watch the year's frothiest ending conclude such an awful picture before your very eyes. If there's one thing Jingle All the Way 2 has going for it, at least it's consistently bad and has an ending that effectively lives up to the standards the film has set for itself.

Starring: Larry the Cable Guy, Brian Stepanek, Kennedi Clements, Santino Marella, and Kristen Robek. Directed by: Alex Zamm.

I like goofy movies with little to no plot as long as they are funny and entertaining. Jingle All The Way original is a movie with it all so when I saw a number 2 I thought I have to see it, after all, how bad can it be with Larry The Cable Guy in it!! I will admit I have enjoyed most of his movies but there is a first for everything. This one was named appropriately, cause it smelled like number 2. The little girl was so close to a clone of the darling in the Miracle on 34th street remake but the cute factor couldn't save this special movie. Interesting how he drove past a totally wide open lake on his way to go ice fishing, must have been a long drive. The best part of this movie was the end, I don't mean the ending, rather the credits, yes it's that bad and as I said, I enjoy goofy movies and low budget creations, this one won't be a Christmas staple at our house. I was extra generous with the score of 3.

The first 'Jingle All the Way' may not have been a great film as such, and it is not hard to find fault with it, but it is somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me. Do find it quite fun and it has its charm, even if it is silly and predictable. My first instant thought hearing that there was a second film was "why was this made, and what's the point", as 'Jingle All the Way' really did not need a second film.

My questioning the point of 'Jingle All the Way 2' thoughts still stand. Was not in a way expecting it to be good, but saw it out of curiosity as there have been many films seen that do not look or sound good before release and being advertised. Yet they turn out to be surprisingly good when seeing it, often falling victim to bad or misleading marketing. 'Jingle All the Way 2' turned out not just not good, it was terrible. It's not funny, it has no charm whatsoever, has all the faults of the first film and amplifies them while having even more and is just poorly made. 'Jingle All the Way' was in no way a masterpiece and had its issues, but it is a gem compared to this trainwreck of a follow-up that had absolutely no point to it whatsoever.

'Jingle All the Way 2's' production values have direct to video quality all over it. It all looks as if it was made in haste and on a relatively tight budget, which would have been more forgivable if the rest of the film executed its other components well but it ends up making a complete hash of everything. The soundtrack is the one saving grace as it is catchy and is quite good on its own, the problem is how it is used, more often than not being too random and obvious in placement.

Frequently the script is juvenile and goes well overboard on the stupidity. The humour is never quite offensive but is crude and tired, namely in the verbal comedy, with jokes that would have been well past their sell by date years ago and the sight gags are just non-stop stupid. There is also a cloying sentimentality in places that never tugs at the heart and becomes difficult to stomach, namely with Larry and Noel. The story is episodic, like a series of increasingly uninteresting vignettes cobbled together, cardboard thin and at times repetitive, much more variety was needed. It becomes increasingly dull, everything is easily telegraphed far too early and is completely charmless with very little feeling of festive cheer. Feeling more like a dumber, more predictable and bland retread of 'Jingle All the Way' with the banter between Larry and Claude taking up far too much time, something that is never either remotely amusing or interesting. The climax is also very rushed and contrived.

Really disliked the characters too, all of them being truly obnoxious and severely underdeveloped cliches, complete with cartoonish conflict and never once having a feeling of things being at stake when one knows always how it's going to turn out. They are also poorly acted, generally over-played, with nobody giving a good performance or coming off unscathed. Larry the Cable Guy just does his usual lowbrow schtick that has been unfunny, annoying and stale for a very long time, have actually never found him amusing or likeable. The direction is uninspired at best.

Overall, terrible in every way with holiday fun nowhere in sight here. 1/10

Jingle all the Way 2 is a belated sequel to the 1996 film that starred Arnie and this has nothing to do with the first film apart from the basic plot line of going after the most sought after toy for Christmas.

Noel is an eight year old girl whose mum has just remarried to Victor who is wealthy and runs a successful business. Victor wants to be a good stepdad to Noel and wants her to love him as much as she loves her dad.

Larry is her dad, he is a little laid back, a little dim but well meaning who spends much of his time in the diner. Once he gets an inkling that Noel wants the season's hottest toy, The Harrison Bear he goes looking for it everywhere but Victor has sent his crony round to buy them all up first.

This is really a cheap looking and corny film but somehow I actually laughed and tittered several times to my surprise. I have sat through bigger budget and high concept comedies stone faced so at least the film got something right.

Larry just about keeps the film moving along with some slapstick as the well meaning dad who loves his daughter and prepared to put up with her new stepdad. Victor is the slimy one wanting to get one over Larry and wants the genuine love from Noel. Strangely the film makes a valid point about stepfathers feeling left out in this new family arrangements.

All I can say is that this pointless sequel is actually a lot better than expected.

Do any of you understand what it means to review a movie? It is not your job or place to tear down a film simply because you did not like it. A review is meant to help an audience understand the positive and negative aspects of a product. If you were to be so prudent to say there were no positive aspects to this movie, then you must be too ignorant to have noticed them. As for the movie, it received a four star rating simply because the flow of the movie was disrupted by the numerous short and obvious father vs. step-father escapades, and for the fact that it was meant for entertainment, not inspiration. However, contrary to many of the other reviews, if you like Larry and his low-brow style of comedy, then you will certainly find yourself laughing several times throughout the film.