Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?!

For the love of God please stop making these films. The first was good, the 2nd was watchable, this is just plain awful. Flash mob after god awful flash mob. There's no rhyme or reason to anything, any sense of realism goes out the window.

The first two Nativity films (especially the first one) have become family favourites, so it is no big surprise to see Debbie Issit trying to keep it going.

Unfortunately the franchise comes unstuck considerably with this third outing and really should have spelt the end of our trips to Saint Bernadettes.

From a very silly plot (even by 'Nativity' standards) to a miscast male/female lead (Martin Clunes and Catherine Tate), to some of the kids from the first film still making out they are in primary school when they are clearly of secondary age, this just doesn't work as well as the first two.

The problem with improvised films is that they are hit and miss, and this falls in the latter category more often that not. There are some very cringy moments here where clearly even the supporting actors (Ralf Little/Suzie Blake) are struggling to sell this.

Poor Marc Wooton has to carry this as Mr Poppy, as they rely even more so on him dressing up/doing silly voices etc to try to get this over the line. It's worth a watch just to see him, if nothing else.

The franchise took a break after this, before returning with an ill-advised soft reboot...that didn't work.

I went into this with high expectations after seeing the first two, and had no idea who the cast were (I expected the regular cast, David Tennant etc), and was surprised to see Martin Clunes (who plays the perfect dumb guy), and Catherine Tate who is always good in whatever role she decides to play.

For a Christmas movie, it's okay. The cinema was jam packed as it was opening weekend. I wasn't disappointed, nor was I pleased. There are some laughs and this is more a 'go and see it with your family' movie.

It wasn't as funny as the first two, but I came out with a bright smile on my face.

As predicted, ten minutes in and I could take it no longer. And then I read the synopsis and was so glad I didn't bother. I've never been a huge fan of Clunes and having somehow suffered through Nativity 1&2, I am definitely not a fan of the jack@ss known as Mr Poppy. Finding out that it is a film about Martin losing his memory only made it clearer in my mind that I must never, ever watch this film.

It's a shame to see the gorgeous Adam Garcia involved. Looks like he'll do anything for money.

I can't score it, because I will NEVER finish it.

After loving the first movie in this series, then enjoying (to a lesser extent) the second movie, I expected this one to be in the same vein. Unfortunately, it is bad. Really bad. Instead of England and school children, we are subjected to Clunes and Tate. In America. Hollywoodised. And not funny enough to carry this movie. Yawn. Mr Poppy tries to pull this movie up, but just doesn't get there with the combination of US and UK humor.

This series has so much potential. Bring back the original school, Pam Ferris, and keep it in England with a fun semi-realistic storyline. Hopefully this dud hasn't ruined a future.