Northpole (2014)

Sadly Over-hyped

One of my all time favorites.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Beautiful, moving film.

As a Christmas movie aficionado, I thought this one was fabulous. I loved the storyline, the drama and the actors. Some of the reviews are kind of harsh, but Hallmark is a FAMILY company - I wouldn't expect their movies to run so deep, include splatters... there are some really badly acted Christmas movies - great story lines, but nothing I would want to watch again or purchase. I would purchase this one. Northpole 2 was not as good as the first but I'm hoping for a 3rd.

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE FILM. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM HONEST! The magical home to Santa (Robert Wagner) and Mrs. Claus (Jill St. John), has grown into a huge city powered by the magic of holiday happiness around the world. Santa Claus and the North-pole are in trouble because people everywhere are too busy to enjoy festive time together. The Northpole gets its fuel by "Holiday Cheer" but since that is dwindling this cause the city to be in trouble. Who can help save the cherished traditions of Christmas? One young boy, Kevin (Max Charles), might have a chance if he can convince his protective mom, Chelsea (Tiffani Thiessen), to rediscover the magic of the season. This film does everything right. The Special Effects enhance the story and not overtake the story. The cast is spot on and they all deliver. I have no major complaints about this film. It really does capture the spirit of child and Christmas. If you have small children watch it with them. Now 1 year after this film was made HALLMARK made a follow up film "North-Pole: Open For Christmas"

Wow! The preview scenes were spectacular! And the daily countdown to the movie's airing increased anticipation! OK, finally the movie is airing, and we all ready to enjoy this super fantastic, magical story! Right?Uh-oh! Instead, it immediately begins its continuous and permanent downward plunge!1st Awful: casting the long ago "has been" Robert Wagner...and then his talentless real-life wife, Jill St. John...to play Santa and Mrs. Santa. Additionally, the "has been" Santa was wearing totally black(??)...to cover his skinny body...in the Santa suit as well......and obviously he couldn't even fake a decent, believable "Santa voice" if he tried...so he didn't try. 2nd Awful: Bailee was too old / mature and too tall to play a believable elf with a sweet child-like nature. And she towered over the boy, which gave a clumsy, detracting appearance.3rd Awful: the Plot. I will only say it's was too far-fetched for a young boy to be SO concerned and SO depressed over the town's Christmas tree issue.4th Awful: the enticing preview scenes were unfortunately the majority of "Northpole" scenes..as well as magical effects.There are so many more "Awfuls," so I will say the ONLY good part was: it ended! Apparently, the movie's makers did not consider the possibility that this pathetic movie would be a flop. They never considered being embarrassed either. So they unfortunately went ahead to make a sequel...which I don't believe for a moment will be any better.

I have seen almost every big Christmas movie and the marginally noteworthy ones, Northpole is dead center between the two. In the opening scene on my 60" HDTV, I'd have bet money this was actually a big budget Hollywood blockbuster. The view of "Northpole" was as colorful and bright as any Christmas movie I've ever seen, and that's high praise for a Hallmark Channel production. Mind you, I am not a fan of most Hallmark Christmas movies. They almost always feature Hollywood has-been's, one-hit-wonders who's 15 minutes passed long ago or "never-was's". They're abysmally formulaic, unimaginative and they always look like they had a budget of $12. Here is the entire script of 90% of all Hallmark Christmas movies; There is a jaded woman who's lost her faith in love, a single mom who meets an unassuming man with a heart of gold (like this guy would be single). He rekindles her faith by restoring something in the town, some building or Christmas tradition, or he finds a way to reach the woman's son who has emotional baggage, a disease or he's in a wheelchair...how'd I do? Northpole doesn't break any new ground, and the storyline fits my stereotype more than not. It stars Tiffani Thiessen (Saved by the Bell) and Bailee Madison (Once Upon a Time)who is just charming in everything she does, and a host of actors you've never seen before. This movie won't become an annual classic, but you won't likely change the channel either. Take it for what it's worth, a better-than-average made for TV holiday flick and Merry Christmas.