*Warning: Minor spoilers ahead*
Netflix just dropped the highly anticipated movie The Christmas Chronicles 2, which stars Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Since new releases (particularly sequels) are sometimes hit or miss, I watched the holiday flick with the sole purpose of determining whether it’s worth your time.
Keep reading for my honest review of The Christmas Chronicles 2.
The movie begins with a reintroduction to the characters—particularly Kate (Darby Camp), who is now a teenager. (You probably remember her as the “True Believer” from the first movie.)
Kate is less-than-thrilled about accompanying her family on a vacation to Cancun, and she’s not afraid to show it. Suddenly, her trip takes a predictable turn when she’s transported to the North Pole and reunited with Santa (Russell) and Mrs. Claus (Hawn).
The problem? Christmas is being threatened by an estranged elf (Julian Dennison), who’s messing with Santa’s high-tech operation. So, Kate teams up with Santa in an attempt to save Christmas before returning to her tropical vacation.
If you have children, the answer is yes. Think of it as the modern-day version of The Polar Express, which transports viewers into an alternate universe (AKA the North Pole). The Christmas Chronicles 2 does the same exact thing, all while offering an action-packed story line.
If you don’t have children, don’t panic—there’s still a good chance you’ll enjoy the heartfelt flick. That is, if you can stomach a world filled with magic and wonder for one hour and 52 minutes.
Is it cheesy? Yes. Is the movie designed for kids who believe in the magic of Christmas? Absolutely. However, it made me feel nostalgic in the best way possible. You know, kind of like those claymation Christmas movies that somehow still hold a place in my heart.
Although it’s best to watch The Christmas Chronicles before the sequel, it’s not 100 percent necessary. The follow-up film does a good job of reintroducing the characters—however, it doesn’t really explain why Kate is so familiar with Santa’s workshop in the first place, so a back-to-back viewing party isn’t the worst idea.
Still on the fence? Well, if you’re a Russell or Hawn fan, it’ll be impossible to watch this without smiling, so I suggest giving it a shot.
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