The Claus Family

I am 70 years old. I watched 30-40 streaming Christmas movies this holiday season plus several I own on DVD. This is the ONE new movie I have been trying to find on DVD. I thought the script was original, acting excellent, great costumes. Terrific. I recommend this movie to my friends. Bah humbug to those of you expecting fine art films at Christmas. This is heartwarming, interesting, and just what I want in a Christmas movie.

If you take out the Dutch actors, it is a very nice film, that is íf you like xmas-films (and I don't particularly like them). However, I like the Flemish actors (=The Dutch speaking Belgians), they perform far more natural than Dutch actors. Dutch actors are horrible in performing natural. The Flemish saved this movie!

This is a typical family XMas movie, especially for families with younger children. Beautifully made (lighting, photography, sets,...), but very predictable. Let's say it fits the Season. 😊

For a Dutch/Belgian production I found it a nice and warm Christmas movie.

The acting isn't special as well as the storyline.

But what stood really out was the surprisingly pleasantsoundtrack by the young and talented German composer Anne Kathrin Dern. It was very much reminding me of John Williams his music for Harry Potter and Home Alone, although it lacks thematic material to be in our collective memory.

If you're looking for a Christmas movie with all the polish of Hollywood then this may not be for you.

If you're listening to the dubbed English version then you'll find the voice acting falls a little flat sometimes. The storyline is cute, the backdrop and the settings along with the music are very cute but the story and execution is a little weak.

It hits all the expected plot points you'd look for in a Christmas movie (Family, reluctance and redemption) but it feels forced.

However it is easy to watch and a good bit of cheesy magic to pass the time during the festive season.