While many people liked the first Christmas Chronicles, I was not one of them. I thought the movie’s adult lessons clashed with the fun CGI magic Netflix wanted it to weave. Just switch up the story, let Kurt Russell do his thing, and Netflix, you’ll have a winner. Well, mission accomplished. It what may be the biggest jump from a first to 2nd movie, Christmas Chronicles 2 takes familiar plots, but puts them through all sorts of Christmas magic, freeing up Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn to share the screen more. Props to you Netflix Algorithm! I look forward to what you’ve got for the inevitable 3rd Chronicle.
We’re a few years removed from the first Christmas Chronicles for the Pierce family. This time, Teddy (Judah Lewis) is content to chill in Mexico during the Christmas Season. It’s Kate (Darby Camp), who’s now troubled, struggling with Bob (Tyrese Gibson) and son Jack (Jahzir Bruno) soon to be part of their family. Desperate she reaches out to Mr. (Kurt Russell) and Mrs. (Goldie Hawn) Claus to help her run away for a bit; instead one of Santa’s helpers, Belsnickel (Julian Dennison), picks up Kate and sends her there.
So what did CC2 get right? It plays more to its strengths. In this case, the cool spin on the Santa story from the original was how Santa is basically a wizard, able to conjure all sorts of magic at a moments notice. That mythology is further explored here, really giving us a good look at all of Santa’s village, and a quick, simple origin story. This means more Goldie/Kurt time, as they show off why they’re the talent here, finding a great inroad with Mrs. Claus doing all the work and taking none of the credit, and Santa neurotically refuting said framing. The movie also ramps up the contraptions, gizmos and doohickeys that made the first movie a fun romp, while smartly bringing back a sax based singing performance that’ll get the family moving.
But the smartest thing the movie does is rethink its story. The first movie used Santa peripherally around the story of the Pierce kids and their quest to mend their broken heart, meaning he was fun, but ultimately superfluous. #2 uses the same setup: Kate/Jake having issues to overcome. However, this time, Santa’s story turtledovetails nicely into Kate’s especially, so the lessons Santa is learning Kate can pick up on and apply to her own worries. And in this one, no one’s stealing a car! The lessons are much more adorably Christmas like, such as learning how to be brave, or welcoming in new loved ones into the family. It’s not super subtle or deep, but for a Christmas movie, it hits home with its simple effectiveness. Plus, if bravery leads to a nerf gun war that ends with fireworks, hey, what more could you ask for from a Kurt/Goldie Christmas?
Now that’s a Christmas Chronicle? Not quite of Narnia, but still very good! With Judah being Santa Claused out of this film, I expect Jake to be the focus of the next one, with poor Kate now a Claused candidate. Maybe we can get a little more Tyrese Gibson in the next one? Maybe driving the getaway sleigh? Dude’s got plenty of experience.