Hallmark's Christmas output is very variable and 2018 was a mixed year for them. Some though are above average level and there are some surprisingly very enjoyable ones amongst the average and less films that there is a good deal of in their output. Along with my love of Christmas and that it was one of the films in my Christmas Hallmark/Lifetime film completest quest, my main reasons for seeing 'Return to Christmas Creek' were because of liking the concept and having liked the cast in other things.
'Return to Christmas Creek' may not be an exceptional film and has shortcomings. Yet it managed to be to me a quite charming and enjoyable film and in the surprisingly good category of Hallmark's Christmas output. Of a very mixed bunch, 'Return to Christmas Creek' is towards being one of the better Hallmark Christmas films overall and one of the better ones of 2018. A festive cracker it may not quite be, but it's not a humbug either and overall this is a road worth taking.
It is predictable story-wise with a lot of familiar Hallmark tropes with not much fresh done with it. It does get treacly in spots, a common problem with Hallmark well before 'Return to Christmas Creek' and just as bad and perhaps even worse now.
Also thought that the first quarter could have been tighter pace wise and that some of the supporting characters were on the caricaturish side.
On the other hand, 'Return to Christmas Creek' has a lot of plus points. It is very professionally filmed and the locations are simply beautiful. A lot of Hallmark's Christmas films suffer from being over-scored, meaning being too constantly used and too loud. That isn't so big a problem here. The film is a rare case in a Hallmark Christmas film where both lead characters were both likeable and interesting, neither too perfect or with flaws overwritten. Steven Weber's character is also easy to like and is well developed.
Tori Anderson is an immensely charming lead and has fun with her material. She has a very engaging and at its best sparkling chemistry with easy going and sympathetic Stephen Huszar. Their relationship also develops realistically and is worth investing in. Weber brings a lot of heart to his role and the film. The dialogue can be treacly, but it did generally make me smile and didn't take itself too seriously (while not treating things as too much of a joke either). The story is light-hearted and heart-warming, even if originality pretty much goes out the window. It isn't sluggish and it is not as contrived as other Hallmark Christmas films. The messaging is sweet and didn't find myself being beaten around the head with it.
Summing up, nice film as long as not too much is expected from it. 7/10.
