Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger!

I only stumbled on this by accident, and that's why I never saw the first film. I bet it was better, since most "first parts" of a series of films is better than the follow-ups, but nontheless this was quite fun. I don't have kids, so I watched it alone - not even during Christmas-Season - and I still had fun for the most parts. With no expectations to it whatsoever, I was pleasantly surprised. What was a bit annoying are the endless singing-numbers at the end, though that's not at all due to the talent of the singers and dancers but for the needless dragging on. Saying I don't have kids doesn't mean I don't KNOW kids - I work with them, every agegroup, and therefor I can with confidence say that no teenager would be caught dead watching this. But kids up until nine or ten would probably laugh a lot. *I* did laugh a lot, which is due to the cast (especially David Tennant and Joana Page) and the sheer ridiculousness of the whole plot. Seven stars, because it does drag a bit and since what I personally would have liked to see more of was cut short due to having children perform on stage. Would have preferred more wilderness-adventures for myself in exchange. So. Seven. Not too shabby

This film isnt as good as the first mostly improvised one, but I still found it fun. The plot is ridiculous, the acting not great, and what those poor kids were put through, although seemingly dangerous, is hilarious. Its daft humour is exactly what I like. The kids expressions are enough to make me laugh out loud. Its daft, its implausible, it's a kids Christmas film... anyone leaving bad reviews needs to give their heads a wobble... especially the guy that took his other half to the cinema to see it. How romantic!?? Ha! Stick it on, find your inner child and enjoy it for what it is. Silly fun.

Life is full of awful, scary, and full of serious things. You know what is refreshing? A bit of mindless watching that is not important or meaningful or relevant. Sometimes we just need silly fun. Stupid, silly, completely unbelievable fun. This ridiculous movie makes my children laugh. And it makes me laugh. It even makes my husband laugh (no mean feat).

There are a lot of talented, serious, and celebrated actors in this movie who are not taking themselves seriously. And isn't that refreshing!

The show itself is the highlight. So many clichés. Jessica Hynes arriving on the stage sitting in a flying wreath as the child singing sensation who's never moved on... The bleak, Dickensian number... The important classical piece... the totally awful rap number... and my favorite, "All I Want is Christmas Stuff". HAHAHAHAHA.

And of course, TWO David Tennants.

Don't be a Scrooge. Have some fun.

Found the first 'Nativity!' film enjoyable for what it was. It was nothing mind-blowing, but achieved what it set out to do well and didn't try to be any more than it was. The same goes with its inferior but not that bad sequel 'Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger'.

'Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger' is easier to criticise and is far from a great film, or at least to me that was the case. Am not going to resort to spouting the ridiculous and untrue "it's a kids film" excuse, especially considering that it's a family film not a kids one so adults are more than entitled to judge. Plus coming from somebody who loves Christmas and a lot of festive films it is pretty condescending and immature to accuse those who didn't like it as much of being a scrooge. With that being said it will appeal to children, who are very likely to love it, while being more divisive by adult standards.

It is easy to see why 'Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger' has been criticised. The story is very silly and formulaic, even by younger viewer standards. It also suffers at times from pacing issues, some parts are too hectic and then other parts lose momentum and drag, including the once again over-extended finale.

The improvisatory nature of the script is not always as natural this time round, some awkward moments, and there is a tendency for the schmaltz to go too over-the-top and sickeningly twee. Marc Wooton was a scene stealer in the first 'Nativity!' film, here he wildly overplays and it is largely to do with how the character is written.

However, David Tennant is a very game replacement for Martin Freeman and Pam Ferris as ever is splendid. Up-staging them, and the best thing about the film, are the children, once again so easy in presence and with such great comic timing and individuality.

'Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger' looks nice enough in its own simple, un-flashy way. The music is very catchy and gives a real sense of Christmas and there is a nice spirit in the scenes where the pacing doesn't hinder it. The film does have a warm heart and sweet well-intentioned charm, along with some amusing, if not as sparkling as before, comic elements.

Overall, not great but not that bad. It's slightly above "on the fence" for me. 6/10 Bethany Cox

So for all you miserable adults out there going "uh, I've wasted my money on this" well, perhaps you did, seeing as though you're 30 years old. This film is for children. For anyone aged between 4 and 12 really, though others will enjoy it too, unless your surname is Scrooge.

Good music in it, great acting from Tennant, some funny moments.

Yes, some of it was unrealistic and very silly, but most films are unrealistic. If you didn't enjoy this film in the SLIGHTEST, you obviously don't like Christmas much!

Well worth a watch.