User reviews

If it wasn't for Dean Cain and some of the supporting cast this would have been a really dire movie. As it stands, it's badly written (though the premise is sound and should have made a better story), even worsely directed, and poorly acted.

The movie is lacking in wit, humour, melancholy, and Christmas atmosphere. In fact, this should only be shown as a "How NOT to make a Christmas Film".

Though I suffered through the really bad acting at the beginning of the movie, it did appear that Donna and Ravin Spangler started to get into their characters at the halfway stage... or I could've just adapted to their horrendous acting.

I wouldn't advise anybody to watch this film at any time as there are so many better Christmas Films around, which I would recommend over this one.

I love a bad Christmas movie, but this? Just awful. On the plus side, the very fact that Donna Spangler is the lead 'actor' in this, gives all talentless people some hope....

This is a strange take on the person dies and becomes an angel with a mission trope.

Acting was bad almost across the board. People reacted to statements before the person was done speaking. Mean characters were one dimensional. Too many of them were brain-dead dumb.

The plot was convoluted and predictable.

Characters changed personality instantly.

One positive note - Ravin and Jerry are cute together.

I have been a member of IMDb for 13 years, and this is the first time I've written a review. That's how dreadful this film was to watch! People must be warned...

Even for a made-for-TV Christmas movie, the plot is markedly formulaic. The moral message feels forced, and the pace and timescale are incohesive. The dialogue is flat, and the dramatic elements are predictable and poorly executed. The sets and locations are reasonable, but the special effects are hilarious. Lots of fans, slow-motion and fake electrical discharges that wouldn't look out of place in a low-budget 1980s sci-fi flick.

The characters are trite, and the lead Donna Spangler is wooden to the point of unintentional comedy. Her stilted delivery made me cringe, and as with the rest of the movie, I kept waiting for the punchline that never came. Dean Cain has demonstrated his acting chops in other roles, but in this one he is background noise in bad sunglasses. I second another review that says he did provide the only laugh-aloud moment in the whole film, but even that was unintentional.

The young secondary lead Ravin Spangler is reasonable yet unremarkable as a spoiled rich girl turned good. Mara Rydell as the maid Lucille had potential, but was not utilised effectively. There are several other supporting characters in the film who appear to be there as furniture. They have few lines, wander about in the background of scenes where no background characters are necessary, and they contribute nothing to the plot.

The one dim bright spot in the whole festive failure is Brandon Tyler Russell, who plays his character 'Jerry' in a manner that evokes genuine sympathy. Jerry is essentially the only character who is given any depth, warmth or likability.

On a final note, the movie doesn't have much of a Christmas setting or feel to it. Aside from a few decorations and a brief Christmas party, the plot could have taken place at any time of year. Overall, I'd say give this movie a miss. There are plenty of made-for-TV Christmas movies that get it right. This is not one of them.

I give holiday movies a lot of leeway. But this one was irredeemable. The woman who produced, starred, directed, employed her family, and flushed the toilets afterward was nipped/tucked/puffed within an inch of her life. Her daughter was cast as a queen bee mean girl but really, just so homely and stiff it was embarrassing. And Dean Cain - c'mon. Stop with the Christmas movies or at least lose weight and shave. He looked like he just got off a 2-week bender.

I only finished watching this movie to see how bad it was. On that level, it did not disappoint.

I was only able to see the last half of this film school reject. The only good thing about it was that it made me laugh out loud during the big climactic moment. "Cool!"

Angel Gabriel sporting aviator shades? Not a good look, but it turns out they were necessary for the "big scene."

Shooting the reflection in his shades for the "big scene" was pure artistic genius. I guess there weren't any puddles around.

The standards for these made-for-TV Christmas movies are minimal, but this one really lowers the bar. Directing, production, and writing are gimmicky and formulaic. How hard is it to make one of these things anyway?

I had to look this movie up to see if it was supposed to be a comedy, or perhaps has a cult following in the awful movies category.

It's a tragedy, the acting, the premise. The main Actress should be fined for torturing us with her horrendous acting. I thought it was a joke or a spoof. If you want to cringe and laugh, go for it. If you're actually looking for a quality xmas movie look elsewhere.

Horrendous excuse for acting. Sound off so bad it's like it's a dubbed foreign film. I was so annoyed I didn't make it past dean Cain mouthing to the blonde bimbo that she can't touch alive people. Horrendous.

I have seen hundreds of Christmas movies. I don't write reviews often, but I just couldn't let others suffer if I can help it. From the every first 5 minutes of this film, everyone can tell how horrible it will be (people about to get hit by an automobile don't press their bodies against the very same direction they will be getting hit by).

The worst part? (yes, it's about to get even worse), they are making a sequel to this movie.

Dean Cain is a decent actor. Donna Spangler is not. Most of the people in this movie act as cardboard as if they had never seen an actual human.

This is probably the worst movie I have ever seen. I Got through 20 minutes before I had to turn it off. The acting is so bad it will make high school plays look like professional acting.( and I have seen a fair share of them) the graphics and editing XD I'm not even going to get into that, even the pros XD who buys a coffee and holds the cup sideways I mean obviously it's empty. overall it was a horrible 20 minutes of my life, if you don't laugh you would probably end up crying. What makes this whole thing even sadder is this is a 2015 movie. 2015 I have seen 80's movies better than this;and I am not a fan of the 80's. Don't watch it, it's really horrible, unless you want to look at a good example of what NOT to do when making a movie. seriously don't do it.

If you are a Dean Cain fan you will be highly disappointed in this movie. Its one of those that used a big name to get you to but it because otherwise it would sit and collect dust which it does after stomaching it the first time. Dean is in it for maybe 10 minutes total. The rest is filled with horrible acting and annoying cleaches.

I've seen better acting in porn tbh, absolutely horrible and the audio makes them sound like robots lmao. These people act like they have never interacted with anyone ever.

I confess: I'm a soft touch when it comes to Christmas movies. BUT - that doesn't mean I'll watch just anything. "Beverly Hills Christmas" manages to be both new and familiar at the same time. The message is timeless, the theology may be a little shaky (but c'mon - it's a fantasy!) and you'll be smiling by the film's end. Great performances by the "kids" (Ravin Spangler and Brandon Tyler Russell) and the adults (Donna Spangler, Vincent De Paul and Kirsten Lea) and some neat cameos by Dean Cain and John Savage. Even if you figure out what's going to happen way in advance, it's still worth the journey. It may not be "Miracle On 34th Street" but "Beverly Hills Christmas" is a little gem! Highly recommended!

This is a great Christmas movie! Fun for the entire family...with a wonderful message in which we can all benefit. It has a great cast: Donna Spangler (Angelina Foxworth), Dean Cain (Archangel Gabriel), John Savage (Mr. Winters), Ravin Spangler (Ravin Foxworth), Brittan Taylor (Hannah), Simona Fusco (Yvonne), Cindy Marinangel (nurse), Brandon Russell (Jerry), Vincent De Paul (James Foxworth), Sue Wong (Sue Wong). There is also a ridiculously adorable little Pomeranian (Bunny). And, it is directed by Brian Skiba (2011 Arizona Film Maker of the Year; who has directed, written, and edited numerous films) Can't wait for Beverly Hills Christmas Part 2!!!!

I like to see celestial characters in holiday movies. Enjoyed that their is a story of a young girl's(Ravin) redemption from being spoiled. It was fun to watch with my family on UPTV this season.