'The Christmas Chronicles'—A Movie Review

You better watch out and you’d better not cry. Santa may put you on the naughty list for life! Teddy and Kate take part in what any child would want to do on Christmas Eve. They get out all the sweets and set up a camera in search for Santa. And when they do, it’s a night they’ll never forget.

The Christmas Chronicles is a 2018 made for Netflix film. Directed by Clay Kaytis, the story follows a dysfunctional family who has lost their father. And their Christmas spirit. The death of a loved one is the hardest part of any holiday. Together, Teddy and Kate bond on their new adventure to save Christmas.

Kurt Russell performed as Santa Claus, but not the Santa we all know. Or, at least, how he is promoted. I like how the film sort of makes fun of Santa’s portrayal. You can't believe everything you see in the media. This is a new interpretation.

Other then a different physical appearance, Santa is also the toy maker. I like how the writers added that he can also make toys. Normally he checks his list twice and delivers the gifts while the elves are the ones in charge of making the toys.

It has been a while since I’ve seen Kurt Russell in a film. Russell has performed in a variety of films portraying the tough guy, a loving dad, or even a fox. I was really impressed with his performance in The Christmas Chronicles. He runs like the wind into each chimney, has his own musical number, and most importantly, he has a humble and warm attitude. Watch the way he interacts with everyone, including the cops. Everyone is a person—whether they were on the naughty list or not.

Teddy and Kate are performed by Judah Lewis and Darby Camp, respectively. Since the passing of their dad, the kids have lost their Christmas spirit. I like how the movie started out with videos from their youth when their dad was alive. It’s heartwarming and relatable, too. Christmas is all about making memories that will last. Together the siblings relearn the true meaning of Christmas and being together.

Their sibling relationship made me smile. It’s the way my own brother and I behaved when we were at that age: Fighting and horsing around, but we’d always reconcile. The Christmas Chronicles is a beautiful story that portrays its characters as very real, as if they’re people you have known most of your life.

The whole film is visually stunning! It actually feels like you’re riding along in a sleigh being pulled by reindeer. One of my favorite scenes is when Kate ventures inside Santa’s missing sack. I will not give away anything other then viewers being taken into a new and different world.

This is what I love about Christmas movies. We all have our own interpretation of Santa and his world. Creativity is my favorite key element to any story.

One criticism I do have are the elves. Instead of humans, they’re creatures, a cross between the Frozen trolls and Gremlins. They even speak in their own "elf language." The film lost its believable touch each time I saw them on screen. I felt like I was watching a different movie once they appeared.

The Christmas Chronicles is a touching story that warms the heart and even passes around a laugh. There are even a few memorable cameos. It's a must-watch, especially for all its memorable lines. And you cannot miss out on Kurt Russell’s performance. Honestly, it’s one of my favorites in a while. He spreads Christmas joy and even a strong message. Watch this film and you’ll be taken on an adventure you’ll never forget.