by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Are you ready for the holiday season and all of the obligatory films and shows coming your way? Amazon gets things started this December with Candy Cane Lane. This family comedy grabbed attention by being one of the few Eddie Murphy-fronted films in the last few years — that prospect certainly piqued my interest. Sitcom star Tracee Ellis Ross is expanding her film offerings as well. And it looks like Jillian Bell couldn’t resist offering up another comedic villain role as a mean-mannered elf trying to cause chaos during the Christmas season.
What does director Reginald Hudlin bring to the table this yuletide season? Whatever it is… it is certainly long in the tooth. At times, this two-hour romp feels more like work than a fun sleigh ride for the whole family. Kelly Younger’s script spends a lot of time focusing on the drama of the Carver family, as each of the children has a full blown arc that could have been the center of their own coming-of-age story. When you have that mixed in with an obsessed, decorating dad making a magical deal with the wrong elf, there is just too much to keep one movie afloat. The pacing is strained as well, with a whimsical and brisk feel missing. There is also a tonal problem, especially with some of the humor. The film tries to balance the genuine human drama with crazy over-the-top humor, but when you have constant jokes about trying to steal someone’s wife… that is where the smile goes sour.
What about the story for this holiday ride? The concept is interesting. We all know a dad obsessed with their decorating. But do they make magical pacts to have the best one? Themed after “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” this father brings a curse that could turn him into a little Santa village figurine. This silly ride too often gets bogged down with tired family drama tropes wrapped in crazy Christmas shenanigans. Spending time with our characters is important, but when they still feel paper thin after all of it, what was the purpose? There is plenty of slapstick action along the way, too, but none of it is as memorable as you would hope. You do get the expected ending, though, and it is satisfying enough for what this film tries to accomplish.
Does the cast at least get a chance to elevate the proceedings? Murphy is such a comedic and dramatic force that it feels wasted that he’s only the straight man to all the nonsense. He has a few moments to shine, but otherwise this would be a nothing protagonist without him. Ross is honestly much the same in her fleeting moments to shine on screen. None of the young actors get too much substance, but the youngest, Carver (Madison Thomas), is quite adorable. Bell has too many comedic chops and charisma for this to be the second forgettable comedic villain in so many weeks (along with Good Burger 2), which is quite disappointing. Nick Offerman and Chris Redd get some time to shine as cursed figurines in a Santa Village, even if some of Redd’s material feels problematic and awkward.
Is Candy Cane Lane a new modern holiday classic? Not quite. Generally forgettable and overly long, Murphy and company find some fun and laughs along the way to make this film not a complete wash. But it just feels too dragged out and uninspired to make the splash it means to. You should just let this film float by on Prime Video this Christmastime.
Rating: Didn’t Like it
Candy Cane Lane is currently streaming on Prime Video
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