Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger!

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.

After the pleasing (justified) reaction to 2009s Nativity!, it's not unsurprising to find that two further films would follow it, starting with this, the first of the sequels. Formula remains the same as the first film, here we have David Tennant (great coup by writer and director Debbie Isitt to get him in a dual role) as an harangued teacher out on the road in charge of kiddies as they head towards the National 'Song for Christmas' Competition. Along side him, pulling the the emotional and cunning mental strings, is man-child Mr. Poppy (Marc Wooton once again on film stealing form), enter mirth, poignancy and a raft of engaging kiddies guaranteed to warm the cockles during Yuletide.

This is undeniably Isitt and her team treading on safe ground, which is both a blessing and a curse. For although the finale here - as regards the competition - has a different twist to the first film, it still feels like a redux of that picture - this is because it is. There's also a problem in that the last third is crammed packed with the competition song entries, not to say the songs and routines aren't great (Isitt and editor Nicky Ager co-writing), they are, and it's a nice cross reference of different styles of music. It's just that there comes a point when it veers close to being filler to pad the pic out to over 100 minutes of film, where much of the comedic human drama gets lost in the mix.

However, it's still a warm film, and a real foot tapper that's nice to get involved with at Christmas time. 6/10

There are many out there who have no sense of fun anymore and have hammered this film.

The truth is it's not an Oscar winner but it's fun. We sat in a packed cinema screen of all ages who laughed their way through with a few tears in places and afterwards left feeling good.

That's what this film does and all those who have seen it I know say the same - yes it's silly and childish - but it's meant to be!

Ignore the so called film experts - we can all call ourselves that and justify it in some way - and just enjoy it for what it is, a simple film which doesn't take itself seriously with a great message running through it.

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

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.