Reviews

I am being generous at 4 stars because the film is mildly entertaining, but it just doesn't work. I have no idea what they were trying to achieve. I feel this is a common issue in christmas films of late - too many ideas! They seem to have forgotton that a lot of the successful films of the past have simple linear story lines. Home Alone for example.

Carol (his wife) is kooky, which I am normally quite happy with, but it just doesn't gel, there is no chemistry with the family at all. The shop owner is cheesy but not in a good way. The sports / song / failing maths section is just plain weird. Huge houses, huge cars, consumerism central, leaves it feeling bloated and lacking christmas spirit.

One of the most painful things for me is the "british" accent of Pip. It'd excruciating and travels around the whole UK, one moment in Devon, another up North, goodness knows why Amazon felt the need to cast an American for this role when there are a tonne of talented Brits out there who could have done the voice over.

Don't waste your time when there are so many excellent christmas films out there. New is not always best!

I don't understand it. On paper this should have been a decent watch. Brandy, Heather Graham, that guy off of American Pie; a bit of festive fun for a lazy day on the sofa. But it was appalling.

I'm sorry but the script was terrible; the main reason for them staying at the house (the snow being the macguffin) is melted away the next day!! So less than a quarter of the way in you're left thinking, why haven't they gone to the sisters now?! It also shifts all over the place with no main story arc, suddenly it's about the band getting back together, then yay the model village, then it's about a runaway boy...

The actors are OTT and stilted trying to compensate for a dreadful script, and there was a serious lack of chemistry. Heather as one of the main characters isn't at all likeable, she doesn't seem to have any redeeming qualities. In fact no-one are really likeable - the genius daughter was beyond obnoxious, Jackie is disgustingly sucessful with no flaws to make her charater endearing.

Also I have no idea how this was ever billed as a comedy, maybe the writers all went on strike before the jokes were written, as there were none at all. Not even a bit of home-alone-esque slapstick.

Oh and a weirdly sexual kiss near the middle may be more suited to some of Heather's earlier work? Weird.

I sound really mean but genuinely can't think of anything good to say about this, and I'm frustrated that I spent my prescious time watching it.

Line of the film - "It's cultural"... "It better be" ...huh??

As much as I love the original (and I have seen every single episode of US, All Stars etc etc and a super fan) I have to say I prefer the UK version. Ru is wonderful in all of them but the UK one just makes me laugh so much! The personalities are better, the outfits are more creative and they are all so much nicer to each other. It has a really lovely positive and inclusive vibe. Let's hope the beeb commission another series, it's one of my favourite programmes. If you haven't tried a bit of Ru's magic yet you really must give it a go, it's such a positive life affirming bit of telly, plus the runway is a total feast for the eyes!

I have been watching the first series with my 8 year old (who, for the nausayers, is the target audience!) and we've really enjoyed it. I love how they've added historical figures of the time it is set (1835) e.g. Madame Tussauds, Sir Charles Rowan, Dr Thomas Pettigrew etc - it's a great introduction to Victorian history for children. Those that have accused the acting of being hammy have missed the point, it's clearly meant to be west end "give it some welly" style Oliver, rather than historically accurate and method. Once again, it is made for children and originally aired on CBBC. That aside, Christopher Eccleston is brilliant as Fagin. Looking forward to series two and hopefully the beeb has commissioned another.