I am being generous at 4 stars because the film is mildly entertaining, but it just doesn't work. I have no idea what they were trying to achieve. I feel this is a common issue in christmas films of late - too many ideas! They seem to have forgotton that a lot of the successful films of the past have simple linear story lines. Home Alone for example. Carol (his wife) is kooky, which I am normally quite happy with, but it just doesn't gel, there is no chemistry with the family at all. The shop owner is cheesy but not in a good way. The sports / song / failing maths section is just plain weird. Huge houses, huge cars, consumerism central, leaves it feeling bloated and lacking christmas spirit. One of the most painful things for me is the "british" accent of Pip. It'd excruciating and travels around the whole UK, one moment in Devon, another up North, goodness knows why Amazon felt the need to cast an American for this role when there are a tonne of talented Brits out there who could have done the voice over. Don't waste your time when there are so many excellent christmas films out there. New is not always best!

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