Christmas Caper (2007)

You won't be disappointed!

Redundant and unnecessary.

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

The actors really seemed to be working hard at maintaining their characters. Sadly enough, the only one who did a good job in filling his role was the master thief.I for one just love it when scripts call for little children to climb up into Santa's lap and spout propaganda, and who wouldn't love their four-year-old to go to a mall where they can find out if Santa wears boxers... shorts... what else might be there? Just some things everybody wants in their Christmas story and at their mall, right? The end came soon enough and the writers did their best to smooth everything over. I am glad to have watched in the sense that I have no desire to watch it again.

Kate (Shannon Doherty) lives in the Big Apple, far away from her hometown, Comfort, which she labels as "dullsville incarnate". Not only that, Kate has an unusual job as a cat burglar, for a quiet life beside the road is not for her. Yet, when her sister and brother-in-law get marooned on their island vacation, they call upon Kate, as a last resort, to look after their two kids, pre-teen Annie and teenager Parker. Kate is most reluctant to do so, until she learns that a recent theft gone bad has resulted in her face being splashed all over the papers in Manhattan. When she lands back in Comfort, Kate commands the children to just "go their own ways and she will go hers". But, before she even realizes it, she is taxiing the kids to school and events and meeting up with her former boyfriend-turned-sheriff, Hank (Ty Olsson). Even though Kate's heart begins to change its direction more warmly toward the town's serenity and values, there is still the sticky problem of the APB out for her! Will the handcuffing cops interrupt Kate just as she is kissing Hank? This fun little made-for-TV movie is perfect for fans of romantic comedy. Although it is also suitable for family viewing, the kids may be a bit confused over Kate's chosen profession and on the consequences of her actions. Doherty, Olsson, and company do a fine job as the folks of Comfort and the costuming, scenery, production values, script and direction are quite nice. If you need a bit of a "breather" between bouts of shopping and making cookies for the holidays, brew a pot of tea and flip this flick into the movie machine. It is just the diversion you need to put the spirit back into the holiday for you and your loved ones.

This movie is yet another in the ever proliferating series of Christmas stories where a jaded cynic (a la Scrooge or the Grinch) is dumping on other people in some way, and with the predictable change near the end.Shannon Doherty is as obnoxious as ever, but actually plays pretty well in this film, as a professional larcenist who recently committed a major jewel theft with a cohort. She hides out in her home town, and gets involved with everyone she used to know, yet, in the midst of her reunions (including a rekindled romance), she plots to steal stuff from folks in the town on Christmas Eve. Contrived? Of course it is, and it's certainly not funny as it aspires to be. The other thief shows up, her boyfriend is a cop, and you can see where all this is going. Although it's predictable, the cast seem to be putting their hearts into the effort.The obvious ending rolls by after a series of implausible events, and irrationally weird outcomes. Some sentiment, and some humor, but many other Christmas movies have already done all this, and much better.

I have to say I really enjoyed this movie, it was really cute (then again what else do you expect from an ABC Family film?) and I loved the great little one liners Shannen's character had through out the evening - "How else may I help you....little annoying person?", "'Don't do anything I wouldn't do?', is that wisdom enough for you?" , "Where are you going? Uh-huh. Really? Well, knock yourself out.". Lol The kids seem to really love her as well from all the off-set pictures I saw so of course that explained the great chemistry everyone seemed to have and I loved how they had her not care about the kids really in the beginning but then want to protect them with Clive because they all started to like one another and the ex-boyfriend recreating their prom - so sweet. This was really such a great little film and for those who haven't seen it yet I highly recommend you find a way too - Shannen and everyone else did so well with it.