A Christmas Story Christmas

Technically proficient? Yes, definitely. But notice how that's the first thing I'm calling out, in order to be "fair" during this holiday season, following years of near descent into fascism and a dystopian pandemic that permanently changed so much of our normal lives. I'M IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING, OK??? But this flick (see what I did there? Again, in the spirit of giving.) really tested me.

The best I can really say is - besides having the always charming Julie Hagerty in the role of Ralphie's Mom - it's a modern day equivalent of a TV movie. High praise, indeed, I am fully aware, but this is nothing but a cash-in. If there's money to be had here I really don't know. But it exists merely as a comfort film, rehashing the plot, exact scenes, characters, just ANYTHING they could to give the appearance of trying to bring back the originality of the first film, which is of course the film's main issue. The original film had its own special magic without even trying. It came naturally. There is nothing of the sort here. The only thing it accomplishes is putting into perspective how fantastic the original really is. And when the cast, especially the leads of Peter Billingsley and who I thought was Rose Byrne but is in fact her celebrity twin, Erinn Hayes, seemed to be sleep-walking through much of this, it was the nail in the coffin for me.

There's an audience for this I'm sure. Mostly the curious amongst us, like myself. And there were a few flashes of charm here, including Ralphie's kids who were pretty cute, but with time a precious commodity, I recommend watching the original again this season. Even if its for the millionth time, and during yet another 24-hour marathon of it on repeat. You're better off.