The Santa Stakeout

An okay attempt at a comedic mystery. It is predictable that the two stars may be "barking up the wrong tree." Too many other suspects. The movie moves at a very slow pace. A semi-good attempt from Hallmark to change up the story line.

Paul Campbell is my favourite Hallmark movie male lead! He doesn't go for that serious, smouldering persona that so many other male leads do. He's got genuine comedic talent! His acting and comedic timing are so natural. He's a joy to watch. Tamera is also one of the better Hallmark actresses. She and Paul are both talented; however I think this would have been a better movie if it had been kept as a buddy-cop mystery movie. But alas, Hallmark must have the leads fall in love by the end of the movie!! That part was a little forced and was the only downside for me. Also, the gay couple addition seemed a little forced and not at all relevant to the main storyline. More Paul Campbell please! He's Hallmark's best leading man!

7/10 - this is so far the 2021 Hallmark Christmas movie to beat with a nice mixture between romance and mystery which will be sure to thrill fans of the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries offerings throughout the rest of the year.

Or Keystone cops meet Christmas. Actually, the slapstick is kind of mild, but the comedic bumbling is front and center. All this dominates over the romance between the leads but it is funny if you like this style.

There was some chemistry between Campbell and Tamera Mowry-Housley but the antagonism between them goes on fairly deep into the story. Yet it doesn't melt away as quickly as in some movies in this genre - the transition to friendliness develops more naturally than usual. The Captain is mostly a cliché of the political boss.

As to whodunnit, I made a guess fairly early and it turned out to be correct, but it was based about evenly on clues and on knowledge about how these movies develop.

Hallmark's best funny man, Paul Campbell, is back and he delivers the goods again. Here, he plays a sort of egotistical slob of a police detective who is forced to live together with an up-and-coming new detective, played by Tamara Mowry-Housley. They rent a house in a very friendly neighborhood as they go undercover to spy on a suspected thief who plays Santa at Christmas events. Guess Campbell can't do every Hallmark movie with his frequent co-star, Kimberley Sustad, but the always good Mowry-Housley is an excellent substitute for Sustad. She takes on her role with energy and heart and seems to really be enjoying the opportunity to act with Campbell. The story is well-written and different from the usual Hallmark fare, a witty blend of charm and mystery, that keeps your interest throughout, particularly because the two leads are so much fun to watch as they develop a relationship that is ultimately very endearing. The production is top notch and the supporting cast does their best to keep us entertained. Joe Pantoliano is particularly good as the Santa suspect. This may turn out to be the best of Hallmark's Christmas movies for the new season - but it will be interesting to see if "Nine Kittens of Christmas", Sustad's long-awaited sequel to "Nine Lives of Christmas", can top it when it debuts on Thanksgiving Day. In any event, this is a good story played by some really talented and charming actors.