Northpole: Open for Christmas

I love the chemistry between Lori Loughlin and Dermot Mulroney. I wish Hallmark paid better attention to pairing up couples in their movies because the more recent ones lack great chemistry. Though this is a family Christmas movie, it makes it more interesting when the actors "gel".

Did find myself liking the first 'Northpole' film, although it had its issues and wasn't great. Had mixed expectations for its sequel 'Northpole: Open for Christmas', it was so great to see Bailee Madison (who made the first film) back but Hallmark have varied quite wildly with its sequels. Some are good, others are mediocre at best. Of Hallmark's Christmas films, some surprised me, being genuinely likeable and an easy watch without being cheesy or too sentimental regardless of how predictable they are. Others made me cringe, went too far on the sugar, lacked any surprises or anything even and were of bad quality.

'Northpole: Open for Christmas' is one of those films that is somewhere in between. As far as Hallmark's 2015 Christmas output goes, it's not one of the best or one of the worst. Pleasant enough if unexceptional middling if anything. The concept did sound very nice and cute and there are a couple of improvements (Robert Wagner's phoned in performance in the first isn't missed), but there are a couple of things also done worse (the production values being noticeably lower).

There are a lot of good things here. The scenery is lovely and give off a charming festive atmosphere. As does enough of the music. Enough of the script isn't too awkward and has enough amusing and sweet moments without being on the wrong side of cheesy or cloying.

Furthermore, there are sweet, heart-warming parts in the story. The Christmassy and nostalgic atmosphere is done beautifully. The acting on the whole was not bad at all, Madison's immensely endearing performance dazzling most and she is wholly successful in making her character easy to root for. Lori Loughlin brings class to her role.

However, a lot of things could have done better. Dermot Mulroney was significantly less good, did find him very wooden and without much personality, very going through the motions like. He and Loughlin don't have an awful lot of chemistry together, that was underused and underwritten and it felt walked through.

Moreover, the story is predictable and thin with some of the pacing lacking tightness and too many coincidences. The script doesn't always flow and can be on the silly side and the production values as said are noticeably lower and indicate of lower budget and hurried time constraints. Nice scenery and interiors, but the editing is choppy this time and the effects less than special or slick.

Concluding, nice and inoffensive enough but nothing mind blowing outside of Madison. A small 6/10.

This is a lighthearted story about Santa and elves and a nostalgic inn. There isn't a lot of plot and what story there is rambles and gets convoluted. But for those who are willing to forget reality and just ride along, it is enjoyable.

I've watched a few movies where Santa and/or the elves get a little too silly and childish in an effort to draw out humor. This movie uses a lighter touch with the mythical characters. There is still plenty of fantasy and fun.

Lori Loughlin and Dermot Mulroney are both over 50 at the time of the movie, but you sure don't notice that, at least with Loughlin. They work together well enough, but it's not their relationship that's magical.

For me, the real star of the show is Bailee Madison, as Clementine the elf. This young actress impresses me every time she does a Hallmark movie and this movie is no exception. Here, although she is only 16 at the time, she is starting to come into a role that isn't necessarily for a teenage actress. She interjects energy and optimism and a little wonder.

This Christmas Movie may be fun to watch for kids, but is really odd for adults. The romance plot could not be more linear and the part of reviving someones christmas spirit has been played exactly like this hundrets of times....also some of the dialogues and lots of coinsidences are really weird and just there to make up they had no clue how to give the plot a constant flow.

Northpole aired on the Hallmark channel as part of their Christmas in July programming.

Cute movie starring Lori Loughlin, Bailee Madison, & Dermot Mulroney. The movie is actually a sequel, but it is not necessary to have seen the first installment.

Mackenzie (Loughlin) inherits her Aunt's inn in Vermont and ponders selling it and getting back to her high powered lifestyle in the city as soon as possible.

What follows is Mackenzie's journey to rediscover her Christmas spirit and what truly is important to her heart.