Jingle Bell Run

Initially when I sat down to watch the 2024 Christmas movie "Jingle Bell Run", I have to admit that I harbored no expectations. Why? Well, the movie's cover isn't exactly enticing, nor does it have a particular sappy Christmas feel to it. But since I had never heard about it, of course I opted to give the movie a fair chance and thus added it to my December Christmas movie marathon.

Writers Tom McCurrie and Stephanie Sourapas churned out a script and storyline that definitely put the movie's cover and initial presentation to shame. The storyline was actually rather enjoyable and well-written. It was a script that sort of broke the formulaic theme of sappy Christmas movies, yet at the same time still managing to remain a sappy Christmas movie. Thumbs up to the writers for that accomplishment.

The only familiar faces on the screen for me were actress Ashley Williams and actor David James Lewis. The acting performances in the movie were good, and leading actress Ashley Williams and leading actor Andrew W. Walker had great on-screen chemistry and made the movie work nicely.

I was genuinely entertained throughout the course of the movie. And if you enjoy sappy Christmas movies, then you certainly should sit down and watch "Jingle Bell Run".

This is actually a Christmas movie that I will say is worth sitting down and watching, as it deviates from the standard archetypical formula of sappy Christmas movies.

My rating of director Lucie Guest's 2024 Christmas movie "Jingle Bell Run" lands on a six out of ten stars.

The two leads in this are like old friends because I have seen each so many times. In fact at least one of them is in more than one Christmas movie this year. Perhaps they were a little tired mentally?

Something felt off about both from the start, especially Walker. I think he was trying too hard to be the macho superstar jock. How many times did he mention the Stanley Cup? I was a little surprised to see his sports rival fall out of the race so early, but I was glad because after that Wes toned it down a little so that he could be softer with Avery. The two characters did the right things to build the relationship, but I didn't feel it, the connection that is chemistry.

It was nice in the sense of a Christmas movie how the three final teams started to become friends. How far that went was surprising and made for a good story ending.

Despite what for me was less than stellar connection between Walker and Williams, the movie was still fun.

I'm a big fan of both actors but, unfortunately, this one was a bit of a miss for me. The storyline was not exciting, despite the Christmas race plot and for me the chemistry was just not there. I mean no disrespect to either of them, but they were both too old for the script. Andrew Walker's character was supposed to be in his early 30's just retiring from a hockey career? That just doesn't compute. It's no fault of the actors, but of Hallmark casting. I hope that they find a more suitable storyline next year for two of their best! They deserve a script that serves their considerable talents!

This is one of my favorite movies now. I enjoyed every moment of it. Jingle Bell Run is comical and awesome. And has an amazing cast. Ashley and Andrew have great chemistry, and make a awesome team. I like how Wes and Avery. Became close! And form a unbreakable bond. Also! I was so happy to see Brad in this movie. He is an amazing actor. Hallmark is making some great Christmas movies this year. Keep up the great work! Seeing Avery and Wes. Going across the world was epic. It was a adventure of a lifetime. This movie deserves nothing but positive reviews. Instead of hate! Hallmark rocks. Always!

The jock and the brain are paired up on a great Christmas race event that has them solving puzzles and completing challenges as they travel to major American Cities.

"His competitiveness is bringing out his inner Scrooge."

Grade school teacher Avery gets signed up to compete by her sister and she meets Wes while she is trying to get coordinated at the gym. Their first meeting is a total disaster, so when Wes, a retired professional hockey player, is paired with Avery...he is less than thrilled.

The two end up pairing pretty well together, continuing to advance in the competition...when the producers approach Wes to play up the Romance aspect with Avery. Seems like a recipe for disaster.

I like both Ashley Williams and Andrew W. Walker...they had great banter and decent chemistry together. I think fans of romance and The Great Race will really enjoy this one.