MickyG333

7.6 stars.

'A Vintage Christmas' is one of the most cookie cutter Christmas films I've seen in my life. I say this with as much love and affection as I can muster, and the reason I am being lenient is because of the lead actors. They are Hallmark regulars (even though this is a Great American Family release) who rarely fail to elevate a seemingly drab story into something watchable. I can GUARANTEE that if they weren't the leads in this movie, I would've stopped at 30 minutes and moved on. I would have tossed it aside without a second thought and moved on to the next Christmas movie in my repertoire (there are about 50 currently, many are returning favorites).

Patterson and Russell are very alluring, charismatic and share an amazing synergy together. There are few films with Patterson that I won't watch (those rated 4.0 for example, I'll probably avoid) and Russell, although a bit wooden at times, has a sort of presence that reels you in. Together they raise the rating on 'A Vintage Christmas' from a 5.6 to a 7.6. I will watch it again in about five years just to watch them. I can't believe she isn't in more films. Something about her face is so lovely, I can't explain.

7.1 stars.

I can't ignore how fun 'Northpole' can be, especially for the children. It's so very childishly whimsical and fun, but it's most certainly not for adults (mostly). It is definitely original and fun and maybe entertaining for some adults, because the fantasy elements and the Northpole setting with Santa and Mrs. Klaus and the little boy (lead character) and the elf girl. It's so playful and full of Christmasy nostalgia. You will need to gather the kids, because 'Northpole' is a family movie that requires kids and adults together, or just kids.

No reason for me to watch the sequel.

7.5 stars.

There are some slower parts, but mostly this film is action, action, and more action. Russell Crowe was still in his prime, still muscular, before he got fat, perhaps he got ripped again just for this role. And the cast is littered with notable actors, one after another after another and very recognizable.

The story is not the usual Robin Hood narrative, so that was interesting and made the movie more of an unfamiliar and fresh adventure.

The downside is that it feels just a bit too long and the last thirty minutes is full of battle sequences that don't mesh with the preceding events, so it makes the ending feel like it's a different film altogether. A lot happens in the last few chapters and the major changes aren't introduced properly, so it leaves the audience behind and befuddled.

Overall, this is an epic Robin Hood movie and some of it is the best of all Robin Hood installments, but in the end, it's not my favorite of the lot. The Kevin Costner version is far superior.