My Christmas Hero

I did like the showcasing of resources, sacrifices, and honor for the military, and liked seeing Ike from Tacoma FD starring in this movie set near Tacoma.

As someone who lived in Lacey for over 40 years, and has had access to JBLM and its medical facilities (Madigan Army Medical Center and McChord Medical Clinic, this movie's location elements made me cringe. There is no JBLM Medical Center, and Madigan, and its attached clinic, looks nothing like the facility shown. Also, the view of Mt. Rainier did not seem to match that from either Lacey or Madigan.

Additionally, all the snow shown on the ground at the Lacey event was so off from our weather. There is rarely any snow on the ground in December - if it arrives at all, it comes in January or February.

There were other issues re: historical timing and uniforms that grated (the upside-down rank on a soldier at the end really bothered my husband).

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, having read a bit about Candace Cameron Bure recently, that there are lots of overt religious mentions in this film. Can't remember many other films like this that really put it out there, even CCB's previous work.

Aside from that, there are a few historical inaccuracies. Cast seemed too young all around, but especially the actors playing WW2 veterans. Either that or those guys are going full Benjamin Button and aging backwards?

And the grandfather died near Christmas at the end of the war in Italy? The Italians were pretty much rolled up and defeated before D-Day in Europe - in June of 1944. How hard is it for people to do some research?

CCB is okay. Gabriel Hogan is pretty good as Major Ross. The PTSD plot line is to be applauded: the more this insidious condition is normalised, the better.

Some patriotic sentimentality, but, for mine, they laid it on a little thick.

Ultimately, there are better military-themed Christmas movies out there.

I wanted to like this movie but my head was busy most of the time trying to get it around the fact that a woman born near the end of WW11 looked not a day over 60 when in fact she would be nearer 80 than 70. Then the granddaughter portrayed as in her 30s would in real life be closer to, if not already 50. The 'saved' soldier Chris at least used a walking stick but he too would be in fact be almost 100 and this gentleman wasn't near that. The premise was good but I found all these casting errors way too distracting and it puzzles me that the people putting this movie together didn't do the math. Perhaps if they had added another generation it could have worked a whole lot better.

As the daughter of a WW II B-17 pilot/Captain I was especially touched by this wonderful movie. Loved it from beginning to end. When we honor our military we acknowledge the great freedom they provide. Enjoyed the actors and script. Wasn't overly "sappy" but there were heartfelt moments throughout. Touched on PTSD issues our brave men and women face. Thought there was really good chemistry between all the characters. Of course, there was predictability as the story develops but it was still well done as it unfolded. Even my husband who is not normally drawn to these movies was drawn in. If you want a feel good patriotic Christmas movie this is it.

This was a mostly enjoyable Christmas movie, with a military theme. Candace Cameron Bure is in the leading role as well as being an executive producer in this movie made for Great American Family. The movie centres on military personnel, their sacrifices and how their life may be affected as a PTSD survivor.

Although I enjoyed this movie, I feel like Bure needs to start acting a little less like an ingenue in her roles. The scene when she went for a hot cocoa date and ended up with whipped cream on her face was a little too cutesy for someone of her age, unless she's determined to be cast as a perennial thirty-something actress forever. As a side note, Teryl Rothery who plays her mother in this movie is only fourteen years older than Bure.