Saving Christmas

Christmas time, a moment every year where families gather around the christmas tree, sing christmas songs, and wait for Santa Clause coming with presents. It is also a time where most families sit down, to enjoy christmas food, in all kinds of combinations. I have celebrated christmas every year, both in my own family and in my wifes family, and it is interesting to see how different to families can be, when it comes to making christmas dinner. My wifes family is very determined to make christmas dinner very big, with everything on the table, including the classic swedish pig ham. Every year we have chaos, in shopping malls, in stores, because of christmas. People shop like maniacs, and it never seems to end. But i do have a plan, when i get older, i might celebrate christmas in Thailand, with lots of sun, some drinks, and perhaps a lap dance included. Life is supposed to be lived in a good way.

I am not much fond of snow and ice, so for me i enjoy christmas for another reason, seeing everyone in family and having a good time. I was also dressed as Santa Clause once, when a family neighbour asked if i could help them out, since they did not have anyone who could dress up. The problem was i had a couple of drinks, before i knew this. So i was a bit drunk, but the kids were happy, they laughed as i falled down on a street filled with ice, and i still managed to give them all gifts. Speaking about christmas, remember all the classic christmas movies out there ? I have seen plenty, but there are 2 i find very funny. Elf of course with Will Ferrell and Bad Santa with Billy Bob Thornton. They are both very different christmas comedies, but manage to both deliver different sides of the christmas season, and also make you think for a moment. I can tell you, i have seen a lot of christmas movies over a long time of period, and only a few good ones can be worth to mention, as i did earlier. So, when i hear about some new releases, i take the time to see a few, just to see if they are any good. In december last year, i was hearing a lot of talk about a christmas film with Kirk Cameron, called Saving Christmas, but it was not the positive talk i heard. In fact, every single critic hated this fim, So i asked myself a question, can it really be that bad ? I decided since it is almost christmas time, to check this film out and write a review, hopefully to inspire people about christmas. Is this a suprisingly good christmas film for the whole family, or are the critics right that you should avoid this at all cost ?

Kirk ( Kirk Cameron ) loves christmas, and he loves this time of the year, when everyone can sit down and spend some time together. He have a conversation with his sister Bridgette ( Bridgette Ridenour ), when he finds out she is worried over Kirk´s brother-in-law, Christian White ( Darren Doane ). Kirk goes out to talk to him, where he finds out that Christian have lost hope on christmas. That we should not celebrate with presents, or have christmas trees, we should celebrate for the real reason, Jesus. Kirk agree, people need to understand what christmas is all about, so he decides to make a change.

I could have talked about this film for the biblical messages that is filled in here. I could say that i don´t really understand what Saving Christmas was trying to do for people with the message of the film. I understand that this film is trying to be educational, but i feel that i have to be honest.

The truth is, Saving Christmas is just as bad as Left Behind.

Seriously ?

Yes, i am serious. And it is not because it is an christian film, it is because this film is horrible in so many ways. The acting is so bad, i wonder where they found these actors, from a Jehovas Witnesses family meeting? The christmas feeling here is so drained in sweetness, that you feel like punching Kirk Cameron in the face, so you at least feel good about christmas. This film, is supposed to show what christmas is all about, from a christian perspective. That is not the problem with this film, the real problem is that you really don´t care about the message, because the film fails completely to deliver any christmas feeling at all.There is a christmas tree, hot chocolate, and christmas decorations, but the christmas spirit does not feel inspirational. And the comedy scenes ? Oh man, i cried, at least 3 times, from feeling depressed. Are you not supposed to laugh at funny scenes ? I guess not, at least not in Saving Christmas. Director Darren Doanne have directed a lot of music videos in the past, with bands such as Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World, Shinedown, and even some videos with popular pop artist Jason Mraz. He have also directed films , including the documentary film Unstoppable, with Kirk Cameron. Now, i have only seen his work as a music video director, and he did well in this area. As a movie director, he comletely lost his point with Saving Christmas. It is supposed to be cute, funny, and make christmas look great. I already regret seeing this film, just like i regret seeing After Earth and Änglagård Tredje Gången Gilt. I wish that a drunk Billy Bob Thorton could have walked into this film, and told Kirk Cameron what most of us are thinking. I understand now why this was one of the most hated christmas films released last year, and i think no film will change that position. Congratulations Kirk Cameron, you destroyed christmas with this film, Santa Clause better have some Ron De Jeremy Rum with him in his bag, i need a couple of drinks after this experience........

Rating: D