Verrückte Weihnachten

While "Christmas with the Kranks" is surely an entertaining enough movie, it is not going to be a Christmas classic such as the 1989 "Christmas Vacation" movie. That being said, then it should be stressed that "Christmas with the Kranks" is a wholesome movie that does prove entertaining enough for the entire family.

The story is about Luther Krank (played by Tim Allen) and Nora Krank (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) whom are living in a small, tightly-knitted community where the Christmas season is a major event. And when Frank and Nora decides to skip Christmas and go on a cruise the entire neighborhood is turned upside down in disbelief.

There are some hilarious moments throughout the movie, and the cast list was really great, having some impressive names on it. Aside from Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, then the movie also had Dan Aykroyd, M. Emmet Walsh, Cheech Marin and Jake Busey on the cast list. So you know what you are getting here, and people do deliver. There are also some good laughs here and there, which do of course add to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

But as I said earlier, it will not be a Christmas classic, as in it being a movie that you watch every Christmas. I have just watched it now, and I don't think that I will be making a return trip to watch it again.

This is one of those films that you can't ignore the obvious manipulation. Each scene is telegraphed a mile a way, with no real attempt to mark new ground. No, this film is exactly what it is intended to be; holiday good cheer and nothing more. In that respect, the film is successful and in the end, a harmless holiday movie that tries to help us forget all the real world darkness going on.

Tim Allen seems to be carving out a career with these Christmas movies. Though his performance is not even close to his Santa character, he still manages to put in a performance that has some memorable moments (the scene after his fat injection is a hoot). Jamie Lee is over the top and at times can be a little too much, but still, she fits right in with the rest of the decorations that are wrapped around this Christmas tree of a movie. I give it a 6 because let's be honest, it is totally predictable and corny. But as I mentioned, it is a welcome to all the negative things going on right now.

I saw the movie Christmas with the Kranks for the first time in theatres. I now own it. I really liked it. It was a light, funny, laid back movie. I don't know why so many people disliked it. I think that you have to have a certain sense of humor to think it was funny. I thought the plot was very entertaining and yes heartwarming. What's wrong with a heartwarming movie about spreading Christmas joy. Why is it so unrealistic? Is it really impossible anymore for people to be nice to one another? To be thoughtful. I think this movie portrays the values of enjoying the little things and simple things in life and perhaps this is why people automatically think this movie is dumb because they don't enjoy and embrace the little things and therefore they are quick to say these certain situations are unrealistic. All movies are a little unrealistic. So what. Like lord of the rings is realistic? come on folks. lighten up.

So I'm giving this a 10 although it's more of an 8. Certainly not a 5.3! I don't know what people expect but I found it very funny & entertaining. Might have something to do with Tim Allen & Dan Ackroyd, two of my favorites. The book, Skipping Christmas by John Grisham, is also very good.

Christmas is a great time for joy and happiness and this film serves that purpose with some easy viewing. Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis are fun to watch and it has the odd dose of humour that lands well.