OK for kids 9+
Christmas fable is cute and tame, but unoriginal.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this fairly predictable holiday comedy includes some pratfalls and suggestive language and behavior -- especially on the part of the "bad" father. You can also expect ongoing deceptions and lies (between parents and children, boyfriend and girlfriend), some romantic kissing, a few cleavage shots, and some language ("damn," one use of "s--t," and sexual insinuations like "get busy").
- Families can talk about how this movie is similar to -- and different from -- other holiday films. What elements do many holiday movies tend to have in common? Families can also discuss the tension within the movie's central family. How can kids cope with strained relationships between parents? Kids: Have your parents ever disappointed you? How did it feel? How did you handle it?
The good stuff
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Messages: Throughout the film, Bah Humbug dupes and comically abuses Mrs. Christmas. Repeated family tensions between divorced parents and between disappointing dad and his ever-hopeful kids. Ongoing deceits, mistaken identities, and tricks.
What to watch for
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Violence: Cartoon credits show slapstick violence ("devilish" character pulls pranks on "angelic character using a saw and hammer, causing comic electrocution by Christmas lights, etc.). Jamal pretends to be a bounty hunter and stops a purse snatcher. Someone jokes that "Santa died." In a sort-of tense scene, a child almost falls from a tall Christmas tree.
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Sex: Some language ("bootylicious"); a couple of scenes feature women with cleavage. Gentle kissing between central couple.
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Language: One use each of "damn" and "s--t," plus some sexual slang ("get busy" and "hook up").
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Consumerism: Visual and verbal references to Starbucks, Google, Sugar Pops, Enyce.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Perfect Holidy not so perfect but decent! by dburse66
The movie was just so predictable. I wanted to see more range from Garielle Union and Morris Chestnut because they both are capable of so much more. Also, there should have been more Terrance Howard in the movie. Faizon Love though was very good as well as Jill jones and Rachel True as close friends to Garielle's character. I also would have loved to have seen Katt Williams get loose. Charlie Murphy was his usual on the point with his character.
All in all not an embarrassment at all. The movie just is lacking substance.
4
Perfect Holiday by AKA31590
This was truly a cute movie. Definitely worth going to see. I just left the movie theater. The movie made you laugh, cry and gasp all at the same time.
5
MUST SEE!!! by REDRUM702
I THINK THIS IS A MUST SEE WITH ANYBODY. IT HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN A MOVIE. I KNOW THIS MOVIE IS GOING TO BE UNDER RATED BUT ITS WELL WORTH SEEING YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED
5
Great by diannamwilliams
This Movie was a really good holiday movie, and very funny as well. I enjoyed and so did my husband.
5
SIMPLY LOVED IT!!!!! by simply loved it
I saw it at a pre screening and I am going to take my children to see it. I see a lot of bad reviews about it but it reminds me of a good old fashion simple holiday movie I can take my kids to. There are other larger budget movies out there like This x-mas which is good as well but there are no fight, sex, guns drugs NOTHING. The so called critics are missing that point that it is supposed to be simple funny and cute which it is. By the way the cast was good but those three kids were really good, convincing and adorable. I LOVED Emily I have never seen her before but what a great little actress.
4
DON'T TOUCH THE FRUIT by midnite2
I really enjoyed the movie. It was sooo funny. Mr. Howard had some on come on moments, but it worked once you understood what his part was. Mr. Katt Williams has a brand new fan. (did you wash your hands?) Yes, I will be buying the DVD, but seeing a movie on the big screen is still the way to go. Trust me.
4
Pretty Good Movie by mirarlashow
Lighthearted comedy the whole family can see.
2
***WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO***W, what a waste of money by rottweilerlover
Such good actors in the cast, but that was pathetic with a capital P!!!!!!!! dont bother.
1
The IMPERFECT Holiday by cpaxton
I really had high hopes for this movie but was completely disappointed. The story line was terrrrible. It's probably an "ok" movie for children but I was under the impression that this was also a movie that adults could enjoy - WRONG. The story line was utterly craptastic. I expected to see Queen Latifa & Terrence Howard more throughout the movie, but they were almost non-existent with about 5 lines respectively. Charlie Murphy, who I usually find to be hilarious, really bombed at this movie. The chemistry between Gabrielle Union and "that other guy" was not there. It was like watching two beginning actors reading lines from a play. This movie rates as one of the worst ever! Don't be suckered by the trailers!
3
it was okay by miss gizzy
After I adjusted to how the movie was was filmed (for some reason, there was mainly close-ups), got used to the fact that the roles Queen Latifah and Terrance Howard were pointless, and realized the point of the movie it was just okay. I usually tend to enjoy holiday movies regardless of the plot.