Howard Langston (Schwarzenegger) is a well meaning but forgetful father. This film follows him as he tries to buy his son a toy for Christmas. The problem is, this toy is a very popular toy, so by the time he gets around to shopping for it (Christmas Eve), he finds it extremely difficult to find a store that has any left in stock.
Like me, you may be a fan of the first two Terminator films, The Simpsons and Star Wars. However, don't let the cast fool you. This film certainly isn't either Bill Hartman or Arnold Schwarzenegger's finest hour, but nevertheless, some moments in it are genuinely funny. I found myself watching some scenes, and in my opinion, certain jokes that weren't funny could have been if they were written a bit differently.
The really big let down for this film was the ending, as I feel it sort of began to trail off and took us out of the moment we were in. The way it ends does make you feel like the kid had been a bit ungrateful, as he gives the toy (his father at last having found one) that Howard went through quite a lot to get Jamie to the other father. The other father (played by Sinbad) does also go through quite a lot to not only get the Turbo Man toy, but also to snatch it from Jamie (the son), to the point of also endangering both of their lives.
The film also includes a little extra after the credits, in which Howard's wife wonders what he has gotten her for Christmas, leaving us with an open ending, and a potential for a sequel (although one doesn't seem to have been made).
Overall, I think this was an OK film, but I doubt it will be viewed as a favourite film of all time by anyone, or even best Christmas film ever, particularly if you have seen films such as Elf or It's A Wonderful Life. Don't expect a great film if you decide to watch this.
My Rating: See the top of the review.
Like me, you may be a fan of the first two Terminator films, The Simpsons and Star Wars. However, don't let the cast fool you. This film certainly isn't either Bill Hartman or Arnold Schwarzenegger's finest hour, but nevertheless, some moments in it are genuinely funny. I found myself watching some scenes, and in my opinion, certain jokes that weren't funny could have been if they were written a bit differently.
The really big let down for this film was the ending, as I feel it sort of began to trail off and took us out of the moment we were in. The way it ends does make you feel like the kid had been a bit ungrateful, as he gives the toy (his father at last having found one) that Howard went through quite a lot to get Jamie to the other father. The other father (played by Sinbad) does also go through quite a lot to not only get the Turbo Man toy, but also to snatch it from Jamie (the son), to the point of also endangering both of their lives.
The film also includes a little extra after the credits, in which Howard's wife wonders what he has gotten her for Christmas, leaving us with an open ending, and a potential for a sequel (although one doesn't seem to have been made).
Overall, I think this was an OK film, but I doubt it will be viewed as a favourite film of all time by anyone, or even best Christmas film ever, particularly if you have seen films such as Elf or It's A Wonderful Life. Don't expect a great film if you decide to watch this.
My Rating: See the top of the review.