A One Mann’s Movies review of “Dashing Through the Snow” (2023).
The next in my route-march of Christmas streamers, ahead of the next edition of the Flickering Dreams podcast, “Dashing Through the Snow” is a Disney offering. At least it is marginally better than the excreble “Best. Christmas. Ever!”
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Eddie Garrick (Ludacris) is a divorced social worker who has a “Humbug!” approach to Christmas after a traumatic childhood experience. But when he babysits his daughter Charlotte (Madison Skye Validum) on Christmas Eve, while his former-wife Allison (Teyonah Parris) attends an event, he runs into a man called Nick (Lil Rel Howery) claiming to be the real Santa Claus. Naturally, Eddie’s mental health awareness kicks in.
Certification:
UK: PG; US: PG-TV. (Disney rating – not rated by the BBFC.).
Talent:
Starring: Ludacris, Lil Rel Howery, Teyonah Parris, Madison Skye Validum, Oscar Nuñez, Ravi Patel, Marcus Lewis, Mary Lynn Rajskub.
Directed by: Tim Story.
Written by: Scott Rosenberg.
Twitter Handle: #DashingThroughTheSnow.
Running Time: 1h 32m.
Christmas is a Marvel – at least for Allison (Teyonah Parris). With Madison Skye Validum as Charlotte and Eddie (Ludacris). (Source: Disney).
“Dashing Through the Snow” Review:
Positives:
- These films – where a character loathes Christmas and then, through the ‘joy of the holiday season’, gets turned around – are ten a penny. But what makes them fly (or not) is having a central character that you can care about and root for. And by positioning Eddie as a caring and sharing Atlanta-based social worker, the script manages to do this nicely, thanks to an opening “rescue” of a homeless man.
- I thought the young lady who played his daughter was very good in this…. before realising that it was Madison Skye Validum again… the same young actress I praised in “Best. Christmas. Ever!” just a few days ago! (“Jinx. Jinx Again!”). Here, playing a much more likeable character, she again impresses. A young lady who, if she can jump the infamous teenage chasm, might have a bright future in the film business: you heard it here first!
- There’s a fun, farcical vibe to the action with Ravi Patel, Marcus Lewis, Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe from “24”!) playing the clueless henchmen to Oscar Nuñez’s Conrad Harf, a corrupt politician (“Boo, Hiss”). Santa gets aided by the over-the-top Truckle family in their fancy Truckle-mobile, full of fancy Santa-tracking gadgets.
- The special effects are pretty good, with the unlikely scenes of CGI’d Santa’s reindeers duking it out with the baddies not being as cringe-worthy as you might expect.
Negatives:
- It’s a pretty lightweight affair that takes no risks with the storytelling.
Racing for the Truckle-mobile! From front to rear, Lil Rel Howery, Madison Skye Validum and Ludacris. (Source: Disney).
Parental Warning.
As for “Best. Christmas. Ever!“, there is a problematic “does Santa exist” vibe to the plot that could make for difficult parental discussions. The question of “why is Santa black” might obviously also come up, as the image radically goes against the ‘Coca-Cola’ inspired stereotype.
Summary Thoughts on “Dashing Through the Snow”
It’s weak Christmas fare compared to the classics of the genre. But compared to “Best. Christmas. Ever!” and “EXmas” (review to follow), it’s bloody Shakespeare.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Dashing Through the Snow”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbOmSUSmISM .
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