The premise was a promising one and the setting was quite unique for a Christmas film. Have liked the leads in other things too, with more familiarity with Daniel Lissing. So this average rating and mixed feelings review has not been given as someone who hates Christmas or who had the intent to hate it, actually the complete opposite on both counts. Despite the basic formula story wise being not much new, there was still a lot of promise because of being intrigued by how it would work around the setting.
'A Christmas Star' was one of those mixed feelings sort of films. It is not a terrible film and there are far worse films out there. It is also not particularly good and could have done more with the premise and the setting, it also ends a lot weaker than how it starts. 2021 was a very up and down year for Christmas films, of which this is neither one of the best or worst, and of GAC Family's films of the ones seen it's not near as good as 'Much Ado About Christmas' but is much better than 'The Great Christmas Switch'.
Will start with 'A Christmas Star's' good things. It is nicely photographed and has a quite magical atmosphere in its best parts. Always love nostalgic festive soundtracks, and 'A Christmas Star' is no exception to that. There is nothing mean-spirited about it and there are moments of charm and heart.
Lissing does a nice subtly charismatic amiable job in the male lead role and most of the cast are fine despite having to work with stereotypical roles. The film starts off very well and really liked the setting.
Sarah Canning however came over as very stiff and the chemistry between her and Lissing is very uneven, with it generally needing a lot more spark. The dialogue has its moments but really could have done with more energy and too much is very forced and cheesy. The direction tends to be routine.
Furthermore, the story is the kind that starts off well but the second half is too conventional and silly and then rounded off with an unrealistically over neat cop out passing for an ending.
Concluding, watchable but far from great. 5/10.
'A Christmas Star' was one of those mixed feelings sort of films. It is not a terrible film and there are far worse films out there. It is also not particularly good and could have done more with the premise and the setting, it also ends a lot weaker than how it starts. 2021 was a very up and down year for Christmas films, of which this is neither one of the best or worst, and of GAC Family's films of the ones seen it's not near as good as 'Much Ado About Christmas' but is much better than 'The Great Christmas Switch'.
Will start with 'A Christmas Star's' good things. It is nicely photographed and has a quite magical atmosphere in its best parts. Always love nostalgic festive soundtracks, and 'A Christmas Star' is no exception to that. There is nothing mean-spirited about it and there are moments of charm and heart.
Lissing does a nice subtly charismatic amiable job in the male lead role and most of the cast are fine despite having to work with stereotypical roles. The film starts off very well and really liked the setting.
Sarah Canning however came over as very stiff and the chemistry between her and Lissing is very uneven, with it generally needing a lot more spark. The dialogue has its moments but really could have done with more energy and too much is very forced and cheesy. The direction tends to be routine.
Furthermore, the story is the kind that starts off well but the second half is too conventional and silly and then rounded off with an unrealistically over neat cop out passing for an ending.
Concluding, watchable but far from great. 5/10.