2nd Chance for Christmas

I make it a point to watch every variation and adaptation of Charles Dickens Christmas Carol I find. I came upon this by chance. I liked it. Nothing fancy, just the basic story with a Pop Star diva in the lead. You'll recognize a lot of the actors and they were just fine.

I liked the Christmas ballad that the lead character sings; it's just as good as any of the newer Christmas songs you hear on the radio today.

I threw in an extra star or two to up the rating. Rather than watch endless adaptations of the same basic Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas romcom, add a new version of Scrooge to your holiday viewing.

Then Grade F-. And in keeping with the Dickensonian theme I think the writer, director and most of the actors should be visited by 3 ghosts on how to make a film. This movie was completely without charm, the special effects were laughable, the acting stilted, and a completely missed opportunity with a new premise. I am assuming this in fact was a failed high school AV project to which I will see you all in detention.

Brittany Underwood co-wrote this script which shows even more talent in her court. This movie has the old-fashioned right vs wrong...good vs evil theme of Dickens original novel. The key player learns her lesson in the last few minutes and the story is gleefully wrapped up. I might've like them to spend a little more time on the repentance part of the story versus us seeing all the characters's wrongs.

This movie could be shown to preteens and teenagers. It is safe for viewing as there is no profanity or promiscuous behavior. Kids get enough of that from Netflix (which our family cancelled). I have to say, as my first Christmas movie of the Season, I found it lighthearted and pleasant to watch.

It's an old story, there's been a ton of versions of "Scrooge" which I normally love watching to see how the writers/directors/producers interpret the classic Christmas tale. Hands down, this was by far the worst take on it I've ever seen. Everything, from the mis-casting to the wooden acting and the poor writing and direction, was just awful. It was almost hard to believe it was a Hallmark movie, just a hot mess. I'm not familiar with the actress who played the lead, is she also a musician? That was the only reason I gave it two stars - I thought she had a great voice, but acting skills, not so much.

This is yet another take on "A Christmas Carol" and not a good one. The budget didn't extend to decent special effects, the acting was stilted and unbelievable and the sets were rubbish. The casting was the main problem. The makers would have been better off finding new talent rather than paying for known stars who didn't fit well. Tara Reid is incapable of facial expression and I found her mask like visage distracting.

The main character, Chance, was so awful it was hard to believe her 180 degree turn at the end. Brittany Underwood, who played her, was totally unconvincing. Her character was so one dimensional. The romance storyline was cringeworthy. The poor bloke should have run a mile long ago!

Avoid! There are much better Dickens' adaptions out there.