Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up

I watched the original and saw this as my obvious next choice. I wish I didn't. The new neighbors just reminded me of everything that is wrong in the real world today.

Instead of taking me away from the world for a few moments, this put it front and center. As a huge Lacey Chabert fan I feel this sequel is beneath her as an actress. This movie felt very quickly put together and was a mere afterthought. I do not think this movie does any of the original cast , characters and story line justice. And if one were to accidentally watch this movie first I would bet my Christmas cookies they'd never watch the original, Which was delightful.

"Haul out the Holly" was a great movie! So fun and cheerful! It's too bad that I can't say the same for its sequel "Haul out the Holly: Lit Up." Not such a fun and cheerful movie. This movie was quite annoying. A family who were reality TV stars moved in, and literally tried to take over the neighborhood and the homeowner's association, and Christmas festivities, and everything. And they were obnoxious to boot. And mean. Not Christmassy and not cheery. Very disappointing. They should not have made this sequel. They should have just left the first movie "Haul Out the Holly" alone. I recommend "Haul Out the Holly," but not its sequel.

The anticipation for this movie kept me giddy for weeks. I adore the cast. In the first movie, I laughed nonstop, and it was a huge rewatch for me. This one was great, but the influencer aspect was awful. The Jolly Johnsons were mean-spirited and vexing. They made it difficult to watch. I get it; they are supposed to be awful, but it was to the point of me turning it off, but I didn't. I wanted to see the end. For me, the new neighbors ruined the movie, and I don't think I can watch it again even though it ended well. To listen to the Jolly Johnsons and others follow their lead is not my idea of fun.

This is one of those movies that just did not need a sequel. And rarely do I not love a Lacey Hallmark Christmas movie. This was just beyond disappointing. Loved the first one and was so excited to watch this when I saw the previews for the season, but it just did not deliver. The Jolly Johnson's left me anything but jolly after watching. I've watched hundreds of Hallmark movies and realize they are not trying to be Oscar worthy, but this is barely watchable. I have seen worse, but not with this cast. It was just incredibly disappointing and painful to watch. They can't all be winners, but this is a big pass for me.

This one is not nearly as fun as the last one and has a much darker undertone of mob mentally being swayed by celebrity's. Yes it's a Christmas movie so it does have a happy ending, eventually.

I get that's the point. But it's a sharp contrast to the last one which was a lot more fun throughout and being part of a community.

Also when do the Johnsons sleep. They Do sooo much and get everywhere so quickly. I just don't get it.

This sequel is not the worst, but it's definitely not the best. And we'll worth a skip if you liked the first one.

It does get s lot more light hearted and fun, but not until about the last 20min or so.