12 Reviews of Christmas - The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)

        Hey guys, Chuck here, and it's officially 12 Reviews of Christmas. We've got a lot of holiday movies and specials, both classic and new, so let's get started. Last year, I took a look at the 2018 Netflix film The Christmas Chronicles, and I gave the film high marks, with a solid rating of 5/5. Today, I'll be looking at the film's sequel, The Christmas Chronicles 2. Directed this time around by Harry Potter and Home Alone director Chris Columbus, this film sees the return of Kurt Russell as Santa Claus, along with Darby Camp, Judah Lewis, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. New cast members include Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus, Julian Dennison, Jahzir Bruno, and Tyrese Gibson, with a special appearance by Darlene Love and voice performance by Malcolm McDowell. 

        It's been two years since the first film, and a lot has changed in the lives of the Pierce family. Claire is now dating a guy named Bob Booker, with a son of his own named Jack. Bob has brought Jack, Claire, Kate, and Teddy to Cancun, Mexico for Christmas, and Kate is unhappy and cynical, worried that her and Teddy's father will soon be forgotten. Wanting to be back in Boston, Kate makes a wish for Santa to take her somewhere colder. This is overheard by Belsnickel, an elf who was so naughty that he turned into a human. Belsnickel gives an envelope filled with special tickets: a trip for two to the ruins at Tulum, a snorkeling trip for two, and a slumber party at the resort's Kid's Club. Kate and Jack head to the Kid's Club, but Kate decides to hop on the next flight to Boston, where she's driven in a golf cart by Belsnickel, with Jack in tow. Belsnickel opens a wormhole that leads to the North Pole, where Santa spots Kate and Jack, all while in the middle of a chase with Jola the Yule Cat. Santa takes Kate and Jack to the stables to get warm, and this is where they meet Mrs. Claus, who takes the two on a tour of Santa's village, showing off the different toy factories, and the giant Christmas tree with the Christmas star on top. The Christmas star, which contains the energy of the Star of Bethlehem, is said to power the entire North Pole as well as the Veil, which protects the village from being spotted by people from the outside, and only Santa can get in and out of the Veil. 

        It's at this point that Belsnickel, who snuck onto Santa's sleigh before, puts his plan into action. He releases the Yule Cat into the reindeer pen, where Dasher is attacked, slips blue powder, which turns out to be Elfsbane, in the snow cannons, and steals the Christmas star, with plans on taking it to his lair in the South Pole. In a fight of Belsnickel's tech and Santa's magic, the star is destroyed, which means that Santa must see the forest elves in Turkey, and get help from Hakan, leader of the forest elves. And does Santa restore the North Pole to normal with Christmas only a few days away? Well, you'll have to stream the movie yourself to find out. 

        The Christmas Chronicles 2 is a fun, entertaining sequel. Kurt Russell shines once again as Santa Claus, and Goldie Hawn definitely shines as Mrs. Claus. Darby Camp and Jahzir Bruno are both terrific as Kate and Jack, and Judah Lewis, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Tyrese Gibson are all three terrific. My favorite performance, however, is from Malcolm McDowell as Hakan the elf. Julian Dennison, who played Russell Collins in Deadpool 2, was terrific in this movie as Belsnickel. The story this time is really good, and delves deep into Christmas lore. Director Chris Columbus made yet another holiday classic, and one that I definitely recommend. Next time you're on Netflix, give The Christmas Chronicles 2 a watch. Just like the first one, I'm giving The Christmas Chronicles 2 a rating of 5/5. 

        This is Chuck signing off. 12 Reviews of Christmas continues tomorrow with The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special -- wait! What? Let me check my list.... okay. Tomorrow on 12 Reviews of Christmas, we'll be taking a look at Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas. I mean, what kind of sick joke is someone trying to pull here? The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special, seriously.   

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