“I’m Santa Claus, Teddy, not Yoda...”
Santa Claus — “The Christmas Chronicles”
When it comes to original movies, Netflix has offered something of a mixed bag over the years.
Up until now, Netflix has built a reputation on its original series. This is generally the area where streaming services work to make their mark.
That said, I’ve reviewed a number of Netflix original movies on this blog. While they might not achieve the level of “high art,” they remind me of the sort of movies Bridget and I would rent at our local video emporium back in the day.
It is in that spirit that “The Christmas Chronicles” travels.
The holiday film follows two siblings — Kate (Darby Camp) and Teddy (Judah Lewis) Pierce. The two live with their mother, Claire (Kimberly Williams-Paisley), in the blue collar environs of Lowell, MA.
The movie starts out with old home video footage of the family throughout the years at Christmas. We see dad Doug (Oliver Hudson) in these vignettes, and learn in short order that he has died.
Kate is a precocious 10-year-old who carries on the video tradition — using an ancient camcorder to document life’s moments. Her brother is a teen of indeterminate age, but the wayward boy boosts cars in his spare time (something Kate captures on video).
Claire works to keep her family together. In the early moments of “The Christmas Chronicles,” she finds out she has fill in for a co-worker on Christmas Eve — leaving her two kids to fend for themselves.
Kate and Teddy entertain themselves by watching old Christmas videos. She catches a glimpse of an “odd” arm in some of the footage. She believes it is Santa Claus, and employs her skeptical brother to help her set a trap.
In the wee morning hours, the two discover that there is indeed a Santa Claus, find his sleigh floating in front of their house, and decide to get inside. When Santa (Kurt Russell) realizes he has two stowaways, all hell breaks loose — Kate and Teddy have to help Santa save Christmas!
What ensues is a whirlwind adventure that harkens back to 1990s holiday fare like “The Santa Clause.” It never achieves the same level of sugary goodness, but there are some funny moments strewn throughout the narrative.
“The Christmas Chronicles” took some time to get going. The early parts of the movie (without Russell) featured dialogue that felt wooden and stilted (the script isn’t anything to write home about).
But once Kurt Russell entered the pictured, things started to take off.
I enjoyed Russell’s turn as Santa Claus. He portrayed “Father Christmas” in an unorthodox manner, but the effect was relaxed, fun, and unassuming.
He serves as a temporary father figure (maybe more of a “fun uncle”) to Kate and Teddy, dispensing life lessons to the pair throughout.
Russell carried “The Christmas Chronicles” on his shoulders. He is one of my favorite actors, and has been capable in a variety of roles over the years.
There are also cute CG elves. They are involved in some fun little bits in the movie.
This affable interview with Russell about “The Christmas Chronicles” on NBC’s “Today” offers some interesting nuggets. Most notable was the fact that Russell had previous experience playing St. Nick in a Colorado shopping mall:
Many of you know that Bridget and I are avid college hockey fans. Kurt’s son Wyatt was a goalie at Alabama-Huntsville back in the early 2000s. We played the Chargers at one point during his years there.
“The Christmas Chronicles” will never be mistaken for high art, but it is likable enough that your family should have a good time with it this holiday season.
P.S. - The “Mrs. Claus” appearance at the end of the movie was a bit of casting genius. ;-)
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