Northpole

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE FILM. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM HONEST!

The magical home to Santa (Robert Wagner) and Mrs. Claus (Jill St. John), has grown into a huge city powered by the magic of holiday happiness around the world. Santa Claus and the North-pole are in trouble because people everywhere are too busy to enjoy festive time together. The Northpole gets its fuel by "Holiday Cheer" but since that is dwindling this cause the city to be in trouble. Who can help save the cherished traditions of Christmas? One young boy, Kevin (Max Charles), might have a chance if he can convince his protective mom, Chelsea (Tiffani Thiessen), to rediscover the magic of the season.

This film does everything right. The Special Effects enhance the story and not overtake the story. The cast is spot on and they all deliver. I have no major complaints about this film. It really does capture the spirit of child and Christmas. If you have small children watch it with them.

Now 1 year after this film was made HALLMARK made a follow up film "North-Pole: Open For Christmas"

Have always absolutely adored Christmas and great/classic festive films are many. The quality of Hallmark's festive films do vary, have implied that in other reviews of some of the films seen as part of my Hallmark/Lifetime etc. Festive films quest. 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' is one of those films that is somewhere in between. As far as Hallmark's 2014 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 it was interesting seeing Robert Wagner and Jill St John on screen after so long. 'Northpole' turned out to be nice enough and inoffensive, but there is also not much that is extraordinary about it.

There are plenty of good things here in 'Northpole'. The scenery is colourful and picturesque as well as photographed beautifully, never drab or over-saturated. Not to mention that the editing is very professional and the special effects are slickly done. The music is another big strength, it captures the festive spirit in an affectionate way without intruding too much and the film is directed in a competent manner (not exceptional but with nothing done disastrously). The script isn't too awkward and has enough amusing and sweet moments without being on the wrong side of cheesy or cloying.

Story is far from perfect, but it does charm enough, is nostalgic and isn't dull. The Christmassy and nostalgic atmosphere is done beautifully. The acting on the whole was not bad at all, Bailee Madison's immensely endearing performance dazzling most and she is wholly successful in making her character easy to root for. St John brings grace to the picture too.

Wagner was less good though, he doesn't fit the role of Santa physically or in voice (sounding more bored than jovial) and he goes through the motions. There are times where the film does get on the too corny side.

Other than the concept, which was different for Hallmark, there is nothing here that's unique. It's all pleasant and correct enough, but also too safe and there is very little freshness to the material, which makes it not stand out that much. The ending seemed a bit hurried.

In conclusion, didn't wow me but there was no regret watching at the same time. 6/10.

I swear that Bailee Madison could light up Northpole with her own smile and happiness! This girl is a pure delight in just about everything she does. I enjoy the "Good Witch" series with her as well. She's the main reason to watch this film, despite excellent performances all around.

Bailee is Clementine, an elf who is concerned about the diminishing happiness around the world that is having a profound affect on the city, Northpole. She decides to do something about it.

Clementine finds a spark of hope in Kevin Hastings, a young boy who also believes that happiness and the Christmas Spirit is still alive despite evidence to the contrary.

Kevin, in a "Pay if Forward"-type scenario, decides to do something about it after his teacher assigns the class a holiday project.

Clementine ends up teaming up with Kevin to reignite the spark of happiness that is missing.

Besides a good cast and a decent story, the other reason this movie works so well is because it's not the typical "Hallmark Christmas Movie Template" that most of their films have. It stands on its own with its uniqueness.

So, if you're look for the non-typical Christmas film that will dazzle, delight, and even touch your heart, this is a good one to go with.

This film was not actually the sickly sweet, irritating thing I thought that it would be.

The magical/fantasy/mythological element was quite tame and thus made it easier for it to blend in with the real world side of things.

It's the same old story when it comes to the romance element, but the young lads adventures with Clementine the Elf help to move it forward.

As for the love interest, there is just something about Josh Hopkins. He's a little weathered now, but he still has a sparkle in his eyes that bodes mischief and sauciness.

The cast do a fair job making it easy to watch. I'm sure Robert Wagner got paid more than the rest of the entire cast for his cameo, but I liked his interpretation.

The moral of the story is actually quite relevant. There are so many people who have lost their way when it comes to the care of our fellow humans, animals and planet, myself included. I don't necessarily believe that our kind acts and belief in the season will power Father Christmas' sleigh or anything like that, but surely it can power the world to make it a better place, full of better people? Behaviour breeds behaviour, do unto others, Etc. Karma must surely come back around? Mine must be taking the long way, but I know it will get here one day.

7ish?

An oldish story told again, with a couple of little twists, but generally a very nice little film which is more about the Christmas spirit than loads of CAD trickery. Certainly worth a watch.