Have actually seen a fair share of Hallmark Christmas films that have been surprisingly good and more, so they are absolutely capable of having a good film in them, hence why they keep getting watched by me. Despite giving 'Enchanted Christmas' a mixed rating and am going to give it a fairly lukewarm review, it did have some potential even if expectations weren't entirely high. Seeing as Hallmark's Christmas offerings are so hit and miss and the overall quality very inconsistent.
'Enchanted Christmas' is neither one of the hits or one of the misses. There are definitely worse Christmas films from Hallmark, as it is not in the mediocre at best or dud category, but there are also better as it is not quite surprisingly good level or particularly good. 'Enchanted Christmas' is one of the just about watchable in between films of theirs, while not really living up to its absolutely lovely name that really grabbed my attention.
Am going to start with the good things, as 'Enchanted Ornaments' is not a complete humbug. Carlos PenaVega is a likeable male lead in a subtle easy going charm way, his character is neither too perfect or overdone in negative characteristics. The supporting cast are also solid and make a lot of effort making on paper cliched characters interesting and like real people and not like flat caricatures.
It looks good, Hallmark always delivers on the scenery which always looks lovely regardless of any authenticity. The photography is not drab or gaudy, and while it is not showy as such it isn't too static. There is a nice festive atmosphere at times later on.
PenaVegas' real life wife Alexa isn't as natural in presence and while she tries it seemed affected at times. Didn't detect much warmth in the chemistry between the two, together they seemed wooden and not rehearsed enough and that the relationship itself is underdeveloped plays a big part in this.
When it comes to the dialogue, it is very awkward in flow and there is no heart to it. Both the cheese and sentiment go overboard, and there is too little in 'Enchanted Christmas' to connect with emotionally. The story is not much of one at all for most of the length, much of the first portion is endless and pointless filler and what there is of the story is very dull, excessively predictable and at times silly with senseless motivations and rushed character development. The first 25-30 minutes were particularly painful in all those respects. The too neat and contrived ending, complete with the rushed and tension-free conflict, can be seen from miles off. The direction is routine on the whole and the music is overbearing tonally and in placement.
Rather average effort here. 5/10.
