Hallmark Movies & Mysteries - A Very Foul Play (Series 1 - Episode 12) is a standard format Aurora Teagarden Mystery (AT), but this time not based in scenic Lawrenceton. The action is set in and around an out of town local theatre and an annual true crime & mystery conference.
I enjoyed it and I must note that the last 3 AT movies have been above the normal Hallmark family film quality threshold - with the action, dialogue and characterisations across the board being better and more believable in context. Though of course, Ro fighting back by jumping up to grab a hanging chain and swinging then kicking out at the assailant? Unrealistic fight action scene for a Hallmark film, let alone an AT movie - too dramatic and staged. First thing I did when the credit rolled was look for the stunt women. Yep.There they were. Real life situation, maybe yes, Hallmark no. Aurora acting almost like some kind of trained crime fighter or a seasoned private detective.
Outside of the Hallmark films walled garden, this movie would not rate highly at all, but in context, a much better level of presentation than normal. I could easily take or leave an Aurora Teagarden Mystery, but recently I have began to look forward to the next movie. Entertaining family movie fare with a little extra bite.
