A Christmas Story Christmas
Rating – 3.5/4
**SPOILERS**
What is nostalgia? Feelings from the past, both good and bad, that’s what. And of course, everyone holds on to their childhood memories, also both good and bad, and they make us who we are as adults. And for those who enjoyed A Christmas Story as kids, there’s plenty of new memories to be made here as well.
Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) is now grown-up with a family of his own in 1973. But when he gets a call that his father, or rather The Old Man, has passed away, he and his family move back home to Indiana to be with his mother (Julie Hagerty) for the holidays. Along the way, he reunites with his old friends, Flick (Scott Schwartz) and Schwartz (R.D. Robb), as well as his old enemy Scut Farkus (Zack Ward).
And instead of a Red Ryder BB gun, Ralphie’s goal is make the perfect Christmas for his family and make his late father proud. But of course, nothing is easy. Presents get stolen, children get injured, annoying Christmas carolers show up unannounced, and hilarity ensues.
It’s definitely a memorable Christmas, that’s for sure!
The best thing of about this movie is that is feels like A Christmas Story reunion, with nearly every actor reprising their role and seeing how they’ve changed from kids to adults. And it’s a reflection of real life, showing that the kid world is radically different than the adult world. There’s personal responsibility, bills, and family obligations and part of Ralphie’s journey is trying to live up to his father’s legacy. But then it teaches us to forge our own legacy because nothing is perfect.
But the thing that makes this movie watchable is that it actually has a plot. It could’ve easily been an excuse to cash in on the nostalgia and the name, but it actually has Ralphie trying to have a good Christmas. It’s relatable, it’s heartwarming, and funny. That’s what a comedy is supposed to be, right? Subplots also include Ralphie’s aspirations to be a writer, a snowman, a car radiator, and Schwartz racking up a huge bar tab. All in the spirit of the original. It’s a nostalgia trip, but also stands on its own with new conflicts.
A Christmas Story Christmas stands as a worthy sequel to a timeless holiday classic. I really can’t say anything else because there are somethings that just need to be seen and telling it all would ruin the movie. There are enough jokes and tender moments to recommend it as a feel-good holiday movie. Is it perfect? No. But like Ralphie, it does its best in what it delivers in emotion and nostalgia.
No one’s eyes get shot out! Instead, they become watery with Christmas joy in this worthy sequel.
