Title: Christmas Chronicles 1 and 2
Year released:
1. November 22, 2018
2. November 18, 2020
Directed by:
1. Clay Kaytis
2. Chris Columbus
Notable Cast: Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Available to Stream: Netflix
Fun Facts
Christmas Chronicles 2
– The North Pole language was created by a Game of Thrones writer.
– Gary the racoon was represented on set as a stuffed animal.
– Chris Columbus directed Elf. The movie that is playing at the North Pole Cinema is Elf. In the middle of the movie, the cinema changes to play Bad Santa, and then later changes back to Elf (due to spoiler reasons, I won’t reveal why).
Synopsis
1. Siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce hatch a scheme to capture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. When the plan goes awry, the kids join forces with a somewhat jolly Saint Nick and his loyal elves to save the holiday before it’s too late.
2. Teenager Kate Pierce is reunited with Santa Claus when a troublemaker threatens to cancel Christmas — forever.
Review
When the first of these movies showed up on Netflix we didn’t know what to expect beyond Kurt Russell as St.Nick. We were relieved and happy that Christmas Chronicles is a fun ride.
Santa’s big night gets undone by a couple of curious kids looking for evidence of Mr.Jollyness himself. Kate and her big brother Teddy feel bad and decide to help Santa find all his missing sleigh parts in time for christmas.
The sequel which premiered this year focuses more on the elves. The little helpers have a Minions like quality but do have a subtitled elvish language. The plot reveals that paternal neglect can even happen at the north pole. A bright young elf showed promise at toy designing but Santa, caught up in the hustle and bustle, let Belschnickel fall by the sleighside.
Belschnickel turns this pain into an evil plot to steal the spirit of christmas from Santa’s village. He realizes Kate from the first movie could be his trojan horse to bypass the North Pole security.
Along the way kate goes on a personal journey as well.
If you’re looking for good old fashioned holiday adventure, check these two out.