TRENDING

Instagram: @parade.media

The holidays are *just* around the corner, and you know what that means—hot chocolate, fuzzy pajamas and Christmas movies galore. In an age where dozens of Christmas movies are produced each year, it has become hard to differentiate between each new release. One film worth adding to your family's holiday TBW list is the much-awaited sequel to the hit Netflix movie, The Christmas Chronicles starring Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn as Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2 takes place a few years after the first adventure saw Kate (Darby Camp) and Teddy Pierce (Judah Lewis) team up with Santa to save Christmas after a series of unfortunate events altered his annual journey. This time, Kurt Russell is back for more yuletide adventures with his longtime Hollywood sweetheart by his side as Goldie Hawn, who made a brief appearance in the first movie, plays a much larger role in the sequel.

The action begins on a tropical beach in Mexico, where Kate, now a high-spirited teenager, is being forced to spend Christmas with her mom's (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) new boyfriend (Tyrese Gibson) and his son Jack (Jahzir Bruno). Reluctant to accept her mom's new relationship while still grieving her dad's untimely death, Kate decides to run away.

It doesn't take long for Kate to return to the North Pole, however, as a disgruntled elf-turned-human named Belsnickel (Julian Dennison) zaps Kate and Jack to Santa's Village, using the kids as pawns in his convoluted attempt to take over the North Pole. 

Seeking refuge in Santa and Mrs. Claus' home, Kate and Jack embrace the magic of the holiday season, eating too-many-desserts, reading Christmas stories and fraternizing with elves. Their fairy tale stay doesn't last though, as Belsnickel, who is revealed as Santa's former protégé, attacks the North Pole and steals the Light of Bethlehem with the help of a vicious Yule Cat and specialized high-tech inventions.

As the North Pole descends into chaos complete with cats attacking reindeer and drugged elves wielding chainsaws and lighting ornament bombs, it becomes apparent that the only way to restore order in Santa's Village is to stop Belsnickel.

This quest unleashes a wild, albeit predictable journey to save Christmas, including a sentimental stop in 1990 Boston (where I suggest you prepare tissues) as well an impromptu musical number that helps Santa raise the spirits of stranded airline passengers. Just add in some exploding gingerbread cookies, sleigh duels, time travel and life lessons and you'll see what makes The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2 so endearing.

After Belsnickel is defeated and the North Pole once again looks like the interior of a snow globe, the personal growth narratives associated with holiday movies begin. Kate isn't the only character who needs to make amends, and this film serves as a beautiful reminder of the power of forgiveness. An earnest adventure, The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2 lauds the importance of family, as one of the most touching lines is "Christmas isn't about where you are, but who you're with." 

The heartfelt sequel to a Netflix classic, The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2, reignites the holiday spirit during a time when it is needed most. Although the film has its share of hokey kumbaya moments, it exudes a family-friendly exuberance that could soften even the biggest Scrooge.

The film is expected to be a success after the first movie earned about 20 million streams during its first week, according to IndieWire. You can watch The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2 in select theaters or on Netflix starting November 25. 

Have you seen The Christmas Chronicles? Let us know what you think by tagging us on social media @girlslifemag.

by Claire Hutto | 11/28/2020