The Christmas Chronicles is directed by Clay Kaytis and is one of the few Netflix original films not to have gratuitous gore, foul language, and “adult content.” That alone is a nice holiday gift for 2018.

Siblings Teddy (Judah Lewis) and Kate (Darby Camp) live with their mother Claire (Kimberly Williams-Paisley). As Christmas approaches, they are still dealing with the death of their husband and father Doug (Oliver Hudson) a Lowell, Massachusetts firefighter who died saving a family from a fire.

On Christmas Eve, home alone, Kate notices what appears to be Santa’s hand on their father’s old recording. She convinces Teddy to try and catch Santa Claus (Kurt Russell) on camera, but everything goes wrong when they stow away in the sleigh and end up in Chicago, where Santa loses his reindeer. Now they have to help him get his reindeer and bag of presents before the spirit of Christmas is gone.

As far as Christmas entertainment, this will not make it to your top ten list. I doubt it will ever become a household name like It’s A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Home Alone, or Die Hard. Most of the jokes are funny, but not in a laugh out loud sort of way, but in a smile and slightly chuckle kind of way.

I do want to take a moment to praise Kurt Russell. He is what holds this movie together. Without his performance as a tough, quick on his feet, charming, and musical Saint Nicholas, I do think the movie would have gone to be downright boring.

That being said, it is a a decent family film. With exactly two curse words, it makes for an enjoyable film that parents can watch with their children without worrying about the Netflix tradition of depravity in their originals.

FAVORITE QUOTE: Hug it out.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Mild language, Some thematic elements

Check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below and tell me about your thoughts. While you are at it, check out my thoughts on Lindsey Stirling’s You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch w/Sabrina Carpenter. and her cover Santa Baby. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

By the way, did you miss my book announcement? Check it out.

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