2018's 'A Majestic Christmas' was one of many festive films, from mostly 2017-2019, seen in the past couple of months as part of a Christmas film quest, featuring the festive work of Hallmark and Lifetime primarily. Just to broaden my horizons other than just seeing the old Christmas classics seen every year without fail ever since very early childhood. A quest that turned out to be quite interesting but very variable.
It turned out to be one of the better films in this quest. Not a masterpiece in any shape or form and won't be a personal favourite, but it did well with what it set out to do, didn't try to do more than needed and at least seemed to know what to do with itself. This is coming from somebody who loves film, television of all genres and decades, so somebody that aims to have as varied a film taste as possible judging it on its own merits and not comparing it to anything else.
'A Majestic Christmas' is not for those that dislike cliche overload, with most of the characters and situations as cliched as they come it does make things very predictable.
There is some sloppy editing here and there and some of the script is a bit overripe and sappy.
However, anybody that wants their hearts warmed and wants to be charmed for a couple of hours, while seeing something inoffensive and something different on the television are likely though to find much to like about 'A Majestic Christmas'. The odd parts of sloppy editing aside, the film looks quite good with a quite picturesque setting that makes one want to be there. The soundtrack creates nostalgia and put a smile on the face.
While the dialogue is not flawless by any stretch, it is generally not as cheesy or as forced as a lot of festive films or films with similar story types. The story is formulaic, but is also immensely charming and heart-warming. There is nothing mean-spirited about it and it generally doesn't go overboard on the sentimentality. Some nice romantic chemistry can be seen and the character interaction is natural. The film further benefits from likeable lead performances, that didn't look wooden, and a competent supporting cast that aren't bland or annoying. The characters are familiar tropes but ring true more than most characters that fit these tropes in these films.
Concluding, worthwhile if not a must see. 7/10
It turned out to be one of the better films in this quest. Not a masterpiece in any shape or form and won't be a personal favourite, but it did well with what it set out to do, didn't try to do more than needed and at least seemed to know what to do with itself. This is coming from somebody who loves film, television of all genres and decades, so somebody that aims to have as varied a film taste as possible judging it on its own merits and not comparing it to anything else.
'A Majestic Christmas' is not for those that dislike cliche overload, with most of the characters and situations as cliched as they come it does make things very predictable.
There is some sloppy editing here and there and some of the script is a bit overripe and sappy.
However, anybody that wants their hearts warmed and wants to be charmed for a couple of hours, while seeing something inoffensive and something different on the television are likely though to find much to like about 'A Majestic Christmas'. The odd parts of sloppy editing aside, the film looks quite good with a quite picturesque setting that makes one want to be there. The soundtrack creates nostalgia and put a smile on the face.
While the dialogue is not flawless by any stretch, it is generally not as cheesy or as forced as a lot of festive films or films with similar story types. The story is formulaic, but is also immensely charming and heart-warming. There is nothing mean-spirited about it and it generally doesn't go overboard on the sentimentality. Some nice romantic chemistry can be seen and the character interaction is natural. The film further benefits from likeable lead performances, that didn't look wooden, and a competent supporting cast that aren't bland or annoying. The characters are familiar tropes but ring true more than most characters that fit these tropes in these films.
Concluding, worthwhile if not a must see. 7/10