Movie Review: “The Christmas Chronicles” is worth watching for Kurt Russell alone

Movie Review: “The Christmas Chronicles” (PG)

Snake Plissken, MacReady, Jack Burton, Herb Brooks, Elvis Presley, Captain Ron, etc. Now you can add Santa to the nice list of legendary roles played by the great Kurt Russell. And make no mistakes, the new Netflix holiday film “The Christmas Chronicles” virtually coasts along on the sheer star power of its well known lead actor alone. This isn’t to say that this festive little movie from producer Chris Columbus doesn’t have a few other things going for it, but this is essentially the Kurt Russell show, and we the viewers are all the luckier for it.

In “The Christmas Chronicles,” young and precocious Kate (Darby Camp) blackmails her teenage car-stealing brother Teddy (Judah Lewis) into helping her set out to prove that Santa Claus exists after a family photo suggests the big man in red is the real deal. Teddy isn’t much of a believer, though. On one extraordinary Christmas Eve, however, a run-in with Claus himself opens his eyes to the undeniable magic of the season.

Kurt Russell is a joy in this picture, and he’s given free reign to put a his own fresh spin on a most iconic character. This is to say that the Santa as potrayed in “The Christmas Chronicles” is not necessarily your grandparents’ Kris Kringle. Not that I have anything against the real Santa! In fact, I love the guy! That said, Russell’s take is hip, endearing, and highly amusing. Furthermore, it’s a fun change of pace from the more traditional depiction you might be expecting. This Santa can even carry a tune as is demonstrated in an offbeat but very entertaining “Jailhouse Rock” musical number.

As for the story — which features, among other familiar tropes, a broken family reeling from the death of a loved one — it is a bit generic, and one might question whether or not this film would work nearly as well without Russell’s involvement. But that argument is rendered moot because Kurt Russell is in fact involved, and he makes “The Christmas Chronicles” well worth watching as does that all important Christmas feel. Aside from the prerequisite snowfall, holiday decorations, and Christmas songs, watch for mischievous Gremlin-like elves and a wonderfully magical sequence that takes you inside Santa’s awe-inspiring toy bag.

As modern Christmas movies go, this one isn’t in the same league as “Elf,” but it’s a pleasant entertainment for all ages. And for my money, it’s a handful of notches above the likes of beloved holiday favorites like “The Santa Clause” and “The Polar Express.” And on a final note, thanks to Netflix, you can enjoy “The Christmas Chronicles” with the entire family in the comfort of your own home.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

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