‘The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2’: Writer, director Chris Columbus makes sequel for average 1st part exciting
Netflix’s 2018 film, ‘The Christmas Chronicles’ was a fun film to watch. It wasn’t out of this world. And it certainly doesn’t enter the ranks of Christmas hall of fame films. But it was, by all standards, a proper family film made for the holiday season. But with a sequel coming out soon, one has to rightly question its merit. Or one would have to, had it not been for the fact that ‘The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2’ is written and directed by filmmaker Chris Columbus.
The first film tells the story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce (Darby Camp and Judah Lewis), whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey, involving a highly unconventional Santa Claus that's a bit of a tough guy, a bit of a superhero, played by Kurt Russell -- an unconventional choice on its own.
‘The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2’ takes place two years after that and sees Kateas a cynical teenager. While reluctantly spending Christmas in Cancun with her mom’s new boyfriend and his son Jack, Kate decides to run away. But when a mysterious, magical troublemaker named Belsnickel threatens to destroy the North Pole and end Christmas for good, Kate and Jack are unexpectedly pulled into a new adventure with Santa Claus. This time, we are also introduced to Mrs. Claus, played by none other than Russell’s partner Goldie Hawn.
While the story -- or Netflix’s plot summary -- sounds okay, if not just average, it is Columbus’ direct involvement (he was the producer for the first film) that really excites. After all, the man has given us some legendary films that involve both Christmas and magic. And these films have become standards for their own genres.
Columbus directed both ‘Home Alone’, and ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’. He has also produced ‘Jingle All the Way’. All three films are quintessential Christmas stories that are yet to be dethroned from their position of “all-time classic” holiday flicks. Yes, comedian Ryan George of the ‘Pitch Meeting’ series may joke about how ‘Home Alone’ cleverly set the story during Christmas to make it feel like a Christmas film, and that it had little to do with the holiday, an argument can be made against it. Both ‘Home Alone’ films, in their essences, have miracle, family, charity, and, of course, winter, as their themes. And how is that not Christmassy?
The second important aspect of ‘The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2’ is the creation of a magical universe. And if you don’t remember, Columbus has given the world its most popular magical universe -- the ‘Harry Potter’ films. Columbus directed both, ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’, creating two films that would forever change the fate of the fantasy genre. He created a magical world that looked beautiful, but he also infused them with elements he works best with -- children, compassion, and a warm fuzzy feeling one can mostly always associate with his films.
All of these films (and many more of his works) all incorporate these themes and motifs and ideas. And they are all, ultimately, fun family films that go along with warm fuzzy socks, hot chocolate, and all your loved ones around you. ‘The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2’ may not have made sense as a massive project in any other situation. The first part was tightly knit as a story. And a sequel was not necessarily on anyone’s minds. But with Columbus writing and directing it, who can complain? Sure, we've seen the occasional dud like ‘Christmas with the Kranks’, but one can certainly have high hopes!
‘The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2’ drops on Netflix on November 25.