A Christmas Star

The story is alright, but the real gem is the surprise celebrity cameos. They are really big names and I wonder how the filmmakers managed to get the big names to appear in the film!

Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan must have lent their fame to this film because they love children and families. Beyond their notoriety, this movie's script has no real hook.

The pottery town of Pottersglen is about to be purchased to make way for a casino and golf course. Coincidence with the name Potter being used (as in "Its a Wonderful Life" with Mr. Potter as the antagonist?) Maybe so, but even top stars couldn't save this oft repeated "save the town from a greedy, villainous corporate executive" theme. Liam Neeson's narration and his easily recognizable gravely voice add any magic. Cute kids. Good acting. Bad script.

This is better than most of your Christmas films, which seem to bog themselves down in sentimentality and Christmas Spirit. This isn't a bad thing since that's what Christmas is about. However, when you get a film like this which is set in more realistic situations it's a nice break from the over cheeriness of the usual Chrimbo fodder.

What also make this a movie worth watching is the acting, which, by and far, is superb. They actors did a great job and must have taken more than a few notes from the cameo "Stars" in the film, as this was the intended purpose of the Television Festival for Young People.

That said, the film could've done with a bit better script and direction, there were times when my attention would stray, and the acting wasn't enough to keep me glued to the gogglebox.

I recommend this film to all and we need more Christmas films like this - and more films helping young actors to come forward.

For a low-budget film that uses a lot of non-professionals, this is a really good film.

A pleasing plot. Very neat.

And the children are great actors.

I'm glad I watched it. I almost didn't - because of the low rating.

I had watched a big-budget children's film before it and that had the same rating. I gave it a 4. It was dire.

This film, however, is so much better.

No special effects, no professional child actors, but just so much better.

Based on some of other reviews, I first watched this in 2017 or so, and I'm glad I did. I've watched it every year since. I have no idea why the overall rating is poor. I just changed mine from 8 to 9 to help!

The acting was good - children and adults - the scenery's lovely, and the story is real. There is some ugliness spoken, but it all gets resolved. I heartily recommend this movie to anyone - please give it a try, and rate it! It may be best for ages 8-9 and up, since there's not much action or shiny things for small tots. If you like this, also see Journey to the Christmas Star (Norway).