They had me at Kurt Russell as Santa Claus. You heard me right. The bushy-faced Russell is a hoot playing the jolly old elf in the big red suit. It’s a hilarious bit of casting and it’s surprising just how well it works. While it’s Russell who steals the show, “The Christmas Chronicles” puts most of its focus on a struggling Massachusetts family.
Co-producer Chris Columbus is no stranger to Christmas films (“Home Alone”, “Home Alone 2”, “Christmas with the Kranks”, “Jingle All the Way”). Here he teams with animator turned director Clay Kaytis. Their film follows a brother and sister whose relationship has soured since the death of their father.
For Kate (Darby Camp) and her older brother Teddy (Judah Lewis), life at home was a joy especially during Christmas time. Their fireman father (Oliver Hudson) was a fountain of Christmas cheer that always overflowed to his wife Claire (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) kids. But when he is killed in the line of duty his family begins to crack under the weight of grief.
That’s pretty much the setup for what is the bulk of the story. Kate and an disinterested Teddy craft a plan to catch Santa in the act of delivering his goodies. Things don’t exactly go as planned and (as is often the case in these things) their actions unintentionally threaten to derail Christmas. But after meeting Santa face-to-face, the three join up to try and save the night before it’s too late.
Don’t be mistaken, there is still the sentimental sappiness you expect from these types of movies. Not the Hallmark Channel variety (thank goodness). But the kind that flows from the insatiable yuletide spirit the majority of these movies embrace. As a festive person I’ll admit this usually works for me. But I can see where certain Scrooges in the audience might not be as forgiving.
“The Christmas Chronicles” is a fun, spry holiday movie that should fit nicely onto your Christmastime watchlist. Just don’t go in expecting it to break new ground. It’s predictable and it strikes nearly every familiar Christmas movie chord. At the same time it has an undeniable charm not to mention it’s a little bizarre. I mean Kurt Russell Santa on the lam for grand theft auto? Who wouldn’t watch that?
VERDICT – 3.5 STARS
Keith & the Movies 
As good a marketing pitch as any, there at the bottom Keith. I’ll add this to my list. I’ve been debating whether to watch a classic I’ve worn out the tape on or something new tonight. Kurt Russell as Santa Clause it is.
HaHa! Good! Enjoy! Just doooon’t expect anything too original. But it’s kinda wacky which I liked.
I’ve heard mixed things about this but Kurt Russell as Santa Claus is something I need to see.
That’s the biggest draw for sure. Otherwise it’s a pretty by-the-book Christmas movie. But Russell as Saint Nick…too funny to ignore.
It was fun for me, Keith. When he was in jail and acting like Elvis, I remembered what a great job he did impersonating him in a movie from decades ago. Merry Christmas!
It’s such a fun and utterly wacky movie. And doesn’t it seem like Russell is having a ton of fun?
I may celebrate Hanukkah instead, but I’m a sucker for Christmas movies 🙂
This is a pretty wacky one. It’s a Netflix movie so give it a look.
I’m admittedly a movie Scrooge; I skip out on most holiday movies. 😂 But for this, the casting sells it!
Just keep the expectations in check LOL. It is really goofy but in a strangely good way!
Well I’m on my own for Christmas so I will do the ironing to this today! Mr.Russell looks gorgeous with all that hair! (Started watching Hateful 8 last night and he ‘s just a complete scene stealer!)
Wow, now those are two movies that showcase Russell’s skills at growing facial hair! LOL! Sounds like you’re enjoying Netflix. Don’t forget to watch Marriage Story and The Irishman. Both are making plenty of waves during awards season.
Ok will do! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thank you! And s very Merry Christmas to you too.
Agreed! I was surprised how much I watching this. Especially the musical number in jail!
It’s a fun and wacky movie for sure.
I’ve reviewed it too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tCA8abLRVA
I watched this with my family yesterday and because I’m such a grinch this year I cringed all the way through it. I did laugh pretty hard at the police office yelling “I quit!” after his “I told you so” moment.
😂 I totally understand. You almost have to make genre-like concessions to get through some of these movies. LOL
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I have to say I really enjoyed Kurt Russell’s rock ‘n roll Santa. He was fun and edgy but still very warm and festive. I loved how he knew what everyone had ever wanted for Christmas and also his method for going down chimneys.
The child actors were… fine. Not too annoying but nothing special. I felt for their desolation at the family changing so dramatically and seeing the siblings reconnect was sweet.
The CGI is fairly decent and I eventually got on-board with the elves even though I was not immediately sold. Kate’s first interactions with them are a bit nuts.
There is little to stop this from descending into cliché but I think to some extent that’s what we all want from a Christmas family film and I think kids would absolutely love the magic of the flying reindeer and Santa’s Tardis-like sack… (in no way a euphemism).
Overall it surprised me. But something about Russell as Santa Claus was an instant selling point! 😂