The Christmas Chronicles
4/5
Directed by: Clay Katis
Rated: TV-PG
Twenty years ago finding a new Christmas movie to watch with the whole family in theatres was not the challenge it is today. Back in the 1990's at least one Christmas family film was released in theatres each year, up until approxiamately the year 2009. These big new Christmas family films offered audiences multiple interpretations of Santa Claus, the North Pole and Santa's elves. Though Hollywood's classic Christmas family films are now a rarity, Netflix streaming services is offering a Christmas film that is a true gem. Director Clay Katis is here to put the holly jolly back in Christmas with The Christmas Chronicles.
Get ready for one wild ride, because this Christmas caper stretches the possibilities of imagination. Santa Claus is getting kicked up a notch this year with a new sleak soaring sleigh, a big red sack upon his back and reindeer that really know how to fly. Some of these have been created through stellar special effects and some were made with little more than convincing CGI. These iconic Christmas mainstays have been revamped in a new old fasion way, and they are brilliantly integrated into the film in extraordinary ways. Saint Nicholas himself has been revived and brought to life by Kurt Russell. His new age take on traditional Santa brings joy to the world, through his remarkably realistic performance full of true Christmas cheer. Russell's Santa Claus speaks his mind, and has no regrets calling out whose been naughty and whose been nice. Some audiences might choose to not watch this film, because they have laughed off Russell's casting as Santa. Most assuredly though, after they watch this Santa deck the halls and bring down the house, it is Russell who will have the last laugh. This is one Kris Kringle who knows how to jingle and knows how to rock.
Accompanying Russell is a pair of capable of child performers. Darby Camp and Judah Lewis star as the Pierce siblings, a younger sister and older brother who stay up Christmas eve trying to catch Santa on video. Camp plays a young girl who still holds on to Santa with her heart, and Lewis plays her older brother who doesn't believe in Santa or himself. When these two find themselves tagging along with Santa and his reindeer on his big night, they enter into an adventure unlike any audiences have seen. Along the journey, they learn about the importance of Christmas spirit and how much one night can change the lives of everyone around the world. Evethough this story has a few moments of poor pacing, Children and adults alike are sure to enjoy watching how these two characters mature and grow over the course of this story.
The story The Christmas Chronicles weaves is a remarkable adventure, full of danger and wonder. It might not be a safe ride, but it is one viewers will not soon forget. The experience this film provides is engaing, and can cause some audiences to shout, cheer and go WooHoo. During a viewer's first time watching this film, they may not notice the full extent of this film's clever dialogue and impressive imagery. Since this film's story is full of twists, turns and surprises, the story's symbolic foreshadowing and double meaning dialogue becomes more apparent on a viewer's second time. The more times someone experiences this film, the more The Christmas Chronicles' secrets and subtleties become known, making this film one worth watching Christmas after Christmas after Christmas.
Verdict: With its fantastically real characters, clever storytelling, impressive visuals, and wondrous creativity, The Christmas Chronicles is a remarkable adventure for the whole the family to enjoy each Christmas.
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