Jingle All the Way (Brian Levant, 1996) Review

So here's the plan. A Christmas film today, Friday, next Wednesday and Christmas Eve. Four Christmas films for you? 'Tis the season, after all. You would have thought that I start with a classic such as It's A Wonderful Life but nope, I decided to be unconventional and begin with one of the stupidest concepts for a Christmas films...ever: it stars Arnold Schwarzenegger...is this actually as bad as it sounds or is it a nice Christmas surprise. I think you know the answer to that and if you don't, well, let's find out....was this seriously the best film I could start with?

It's coming up to Christmas so Howard Langstom (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a workaholic family man, wants to make up for missing his son's (Jake Lloyd) sports game. Howard asks his son, Jaime, what he wants for Christmas. He wants an action figure of his favourite hero, Turboman, but there is one problem: it's sold out EVERYWHERE! Howard goes everywhere to try and find it with no hope and ends up competing to find the last one with a postman named Myron Larabee (Sinbad) who also wants it for his son. Howard now has to find the toy, get it before Myron and also make it to an annual parade with his family just like he promised.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is in a Christmas film...what more can I say? Really? I honestly have no idea where to go from here...uh...he does deliver some good one liners like...er..."PUT THE COOKIE DOWN, NOW!". Okay, let's ignore Arnie and move on. Sinbad initially starts off very annoying and a bit over the top but you get used to him and he does supply one of the funniest moments of the film but on the other end of the scale is Jake Lloyd. God do I hate this kid. He ruined Star Wars after all. While Sinbad got better, Lloyd...did not. Phil Hartman plays the Langstom's neighbour and is his usual self but, you know what, it works. Hartman was good at playing the cocky yet seemingly perfect guy and doesn't dissapoint here...except the fact that he's in this film.

So how Christmassy is it? Well, it focuses more on the materialised aspect of Christmas as well as focus on family but really it's all about one toy so it is really just a kids film. It's a stupid, stupid movie which is clearly evident at the climax (seriously, how stupid can you get?!). There are some good and funny moments but this isn't the film for you if you're looking for a heartwarming family film. It's good for a quick laugh though...mostly laughing at how bad it is.

Jingle All the Way is, I'll be honest, a guilty pleasure. Despite all I've said, I do stick this on every year mainly because it's a fun film. Does that mean it's good? Of course not. It is a bad film but there are just some films that are so bad that they're good. This is one of them. I think it's mainly down to "what did I expect? It's Arnie in a Christmas film!" but if you're up for a quick laugh, check it out but otherwise, avoid it.

Verdict:
5/10
What can I say except....Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Christmas film.....