Les chiots Noël: La relève est arrivée

Beyond ridiculous plot. Atrocious writing. Shamefully embarrassing acting. Fake sets and costumes. Silly and confusing additions to the Christmas mythology. How do these abominations get made? Everyone involved with this should be ashamed and deeply embarrassed to have been a part of it. Really great example of the vast chasm between good movies and bad. No kid should watch this.

Just enjoy, it is better than the depression that it drip fed from the news and social media. It's not high brow, it's not deep, meaningful or Oscar worthy but, it is peaceful and heart warming. People are perhaps becoming too worried about appearing dim by liking a film like this. Well, time to start living the lives we once did where magic, sparkles and love make the world a better place. Love, kindness, happiness and joy is the way forward. Be happy, be honest and JFDI before it's too late. Global warming, LGBTQ etc all meaningless if we aren't around to enjoy the peace that we deserve. XXXXXX.

Well, first - hallelujah! This is a Christmas movie that actually mentions, if only obliquely, the REAL reason for Christmas! No, not jolly family get-togethers and being nice to strangers and animals, but Christ! Although, as I say, the mentions are very oblique and shouldn't offend any atheists.

Second - oops! Kids and adults alike will be confused by this movie. Kids will be confused because the little girl playing the lead role, Sarah (who has a dad), is the same actor who played the lead in the first Santa Paws movie - only in that one, she played an orphan called Quinn. Sarah looks precisely the same as Quinn (perhaps a year or so older), and has an absolutely indistinguishable character from Quinn (naive and cuuuuuute).

Adults will be confused because one of the three erstwhile sexy Charlie's Angels, Cheryl Ladd, plays a relatively glamorous but unmistakably matronly Mrs Claus.

Otherwise - the plot is predictable and clichéd, but bearable. And the pups, of course, are gorgeous. Oh - and this time, the majority of them (three out of four) are ... prepare for a shock ... FEMALE. Disney must finally be learning. Took them long enough ...

Not only did my 6 year-old granddaughter love it, so did everyone else. What is there not to like? The songs were endearing and the finale of Oh Holy Night sung by that adorable young girl had me in tears. The message was uplifting, the visuals were magical, the acting was spot on, and the writing was terrific. I did not see Santa Paws 1, but I will definitely be looking for it, for sure.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but maybe if someone didn't like this show, it is because they just don't have the Christmas spirit like they should. I can see if you don't have that, you probably would be grumpy watching this delightful show. Not me and this household. Two thumbs up for sure! I can't imagine any young child not loving this show even if you might not.

At the North Pole, Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves are always busy. But, they also have a canine crew to help make Christmas wishes come true, Paws and Mrs. Paws. Now comes more golden helpers, with the arrival of four puppies. The three girl pups, Charity, Hope, and Jingle, join their only brother in classes taught by elves. You see, it will be the puppies future job to spread holiday cheer to communities and to reward unique wishes with the help of magic crystals. But, these little doggies have a great deal to learn, so no crystals yet. Naturally, they are too impatient. So, when Mrs. Claus (Cheryl Ladd) loads up a sleigh for an advent trip to the joyous community of Pineville, the puppies sneak on board AND pilfer an elf's stone. Once in the village, Mrs. Claus is mistaken for a new nanny for widower Thomas Reynolds (George Newborn) and his two kids, Sarah (Kaitlyn Maher) and her older brother, Carter (Josh Feldman). Having recently lost his wife, Mr. Reynolds is trying to make do by continuing a cheery radio program with help from his talented, singing daughter. But, alas, big brother is very much NOT in the holiday mood, still missing his mother greatly. Thus, the stage is set. Out come the pups and one of the first folks they run into is young Reynolds. As the boy opens his mouth to speak, the crystal is stroked to ensure a wish is granted. Right you are, the wish is for the Christmas spirit to vanish from the town! What have these puppies done and can it be corrected? As the "grumpy attitude" spreads like a cold from person to person, will Pineville have a dreadful season? This is a nice film for families, with darling canines and a good cast. Ladd, Newborn, and especially the very talented youngster Maher are quite fine and Maher can sing like a wee angel. Danny Woodburn is terrific as elf Eli. Also, the look of the film is lovely, with a sophisticated art direction, and it also has an enjoyable, funny tale. On top of it all, there are the adorable dogs who steal scenes and hearts. The only problem this viewer can see is not everyone enjoys musicals, with songs being sung to the interruption of the action. Nonetheless, most extended families will consider this a nice diversion for the holidays and "pause" to include it in an evening's get-together.