Film 53 (Goal: 300) of 2024

You better watch out (get it), cause I'm about to enter my old man shakes fist at clouds phase. Now I knew what I what I was getting myself into this with this film, and this film isn't particularly bad, but it just highlights something I've known for a while.

The concept for this film isn't that bad. It's not great either but there are plenty of Christmas films with weird concepts that are executed well. But what it comes down to, Christmas film or not, is the care and the execution. Elf is a pretty out there concept, but it executes with flying colours. And in the last few years especially since the streaming era really kicked in, the quality of a good Christmas film is so few and far between. I know, there's things like The Holdovers out there. But again, they're so few and far between, and I want more Christmas films that are light and enjoyable. And these films, with Dashing Through the Snow, just aren't cutting it. There's love missing and I just want a Christmas film that I can love again.

Rant done... as for this film. Well, it has a really good early scene, with Eddie Garrick (played by Ludacris) trying to talk down a homeless man while they reminisce over Christmas. Honestly there's almost a really good idea for a dramatic film in that concept alone. But this scene is as good as this film gets for character establishment, as Ludacris gets progressively less interesting the further the film goes along. Lil Rey Howery has lots of confidence and he was really well cast but he just can't save this tired film, complete with corrupt congressman, incompetent goons and daughter who sees the spirit of Christmas.

This might work for kids but I can see their interest waning quickly.