Director: Gil Junger
Writer: James Robert Johnston, Bennett Yellin (Screenplay)
Starring: Mike Mizanin, AnnaLynne McCord, Saraya-Jade Bevis, Eric Keenleyside, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Geoff Gustafson
Plot: After getting fired from his job, a slick, fast-talking businessman (The Miz) is thrown into an elf competition to become Santa¹s next second-in-command. Put through a series of rigorous training exercises to prepare for the contest, The Miz and another aspiring elf go head-to-head in the hopes of becoming Santa’s Little Helper.
Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict: Fun Family Christmas Movie
Story: Santa’s Little Helper starts with fast talking businessman Dax (Mizanin) who will happily throw people out of their homes and work places around Christmas time who loses his job, he loses everything facing ruin. When Santa Claus (Keenleyside) visits him he comes up with a plan.
Santa needs to hirer a replacement for an important role for him, he sends his trusted assistant Billie (McCord) who does have dreams of the same role, to recruit Dax and show the value needed for the role, all while daughter of the retiring role Eleanor (Bevis) believes she is entitled to the role. Can Dax learn the valuable lessons before it is too late.
Thoughts on Santa’s Little Helper
Characters – Dax is our version of Scourge in this film, he has been putting people out on the streets for years with his ruthless attitude towards people, he gets fired and loses everything, he must prove his value to Santa for a high-ranking role under him even if it means facing a moment from his past. Billie is one of Santa’s assistants, she is assigned to recruit the next person in Dax even though she wants to role herself. She doesn’t understand the pick but will follow his wishes. Eleanor believes the role is hers and doesn’t care for anyone taking the role she believes she was entitled to. Santa is who we know he is, he wants to guide Dax back on the right path after knowing just how special he was meant to be.
Performances – Mike Mizanin or The Miz for WWE fans has been going through the movies for WWE Studios, he is good in his roles and this is no different. AnnaLynne McCord is good in her role too needing to be excitable at times, Saraya-Jade Bevis is solid enough in her role, she does well when we see her, but her character isn’t involved enough. The rest of the film are good without needing to take many difficult moments away from The Miz.
Story – The story takes a fresh spin on needing to get the Christmas spirit to help turn one person’s life around. We follow our main character Dax who isn’t a nice person that needs to learn the error of his way before his whole life falls apart, for a family film this is completely by the book for what you need things to do as in lessons to be learnt. The sub-plot about the job applying for is here and never feels like it is the most important part of the film.
Family – This movie keeps the jokes that can be enjoyed by the whole audience, we get moments the kids and parents will enjoy through the film.
Settings – The film doesn’t really give us an iconic location as for city and when it comes to the competition it should have felt more North Pole based.
Scene of the Movie – The final lesson.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – The course.
Final Thoughts – This is a by the book Christmas movie, it will keep the family happy without being the most memorable of all time.
Overall: Enjoyable Family film.
Rating
