A Christmas Story Christmas
Ralphie is now all grown up and must deal with Christmas and all that comes with it…as a dad.
- Released: 2022-11-17
- Runtime: 120 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Family
- Stars: Peter Billingsley, Erinn Hayes, Zack Ward, Julie Hagerty, Mark Arnold, Scott Schwartz, R.D. Robb, Julianna Layne, Ian Petrella, River Drosche, J.R. Esposito, Chris Jarman, Sam Parks, Henry Miller, Ian Porter, Owen Davis, Derek Morse, Davis Murphy
- Director: Clay Kaytis
Comments
- steve_garriga - 25 December 2023
A fitting sequel
A sweet new story with enough references to the original to keep fans happy. A grown up Ralphie, with wife and children in tow, returns home for the holidays and deals with a new set of problems. The final credits show some of the most significant callbacks, but the movie as a whole is a wonderful tribute to the previous installment - both in style and content. Many of the original cast reprise their roles 30 odd years later and present believable versions of their adult selves. While maybe not as groundbreaking or iconic as its predecessor it's a fun addition to the rewatchable Christmas movie rotation. - dbrause-81198 - 13 December 2023
A tribute to the original and "the Old Man"
First, let me say I am a die hard fan of the original, and watch it a minimum of 5-10 times every holiday season, so this movie had some big shoes to fill in my eyes.
That said, I feel this movie not only keeps to the spirit of the original, but is a heartfelt tribute to it, as well as a "love letter" to its fans. The movie is chocked full of Easter eggs that will delight fans of the original subject material. It also provides multiple "callbacks" to fan favorite memories. It is amazing how many of the cast members they were able to get for starring roles or at least brief cameos. The notable exceptions are Darren McGavin, who sadly passed away, and Melinda Dillon who declined reprising her role due to failing health. I feel the movie addressed both absences well.
Lastly, I will say this. The original has always been an extremely emotional movie for me, due to the memories it evokes from my childhood Christmases. This movie was able to evoke equal, and sometimes even stronger emotions. I am not ashamed to admit I shed more than a few tears over the storylines around Ralphie's dad, especially the wonderful twist at the end. In my opinion, "The Old Man" is and always will be the best "movie dad" of all time, and I feel this movie does him justice in that role, and is a worthy tribute to his memory. - spamwilly - 16 January 2023
Not too shabby.....
I am a big fan of the original, I have found memories of watching in my younger years during christmas when all the adults were having a jolly holiday. That continued thru teenage and young adulthood to pass the time spent post presents and xmas brunch but before dinner. As I got older I caught time to watch it less and less but still strive to watch once each season.
That was the long way of describing my nostalgia surrounding the original movie. Alas, I steadfastly adjusted my expectations for this sequel, after all its not the first attempt.
I can honestly say this is a good sequel, it captures some of the same vibes as original. Although at times it seems close to plagiarism on the original plot but this works well with this type of movie.
This story starts up 33 years later from the movie timeline. Ralphie's father passes away just before christmas and is returning home with his family. He is now all grown up and has a wife and two kids.
Great family movie and follows some of the same funny storylines from original.
Will it win a Oscar? Of course not. The original wasn't a masterpiece just good ol nostalgia. - skbtzx - 30 December 2022
Nostalgic, and a fitting sequel to its predecessor
I went in to this very skeptical of how it would match up to the original. While the 1983 film manages to capture the magic of Christmas and the mystery of childhood life, this movie shows us the adult perspective in just as magically. I feel kids will always love the original, while adults can better appreciate older Ralphie. That did, as children age they will undoubtedly appreciate this film as well.
Either way, this will become a new yearly Christmas film in my home.
It's a bit slow to start, but once it gets going you'll laugh and laugh.
Bravo Peter Billingsley and all the original cast that returned. Thank you all for making this film. - vovazg - 26 December 2022
Christmas spirit captured - mission accomplished
Even though I read the positive reviews I still was relentless weather how the whole experience will be. We decided to watch it on Christmas. And we weren't wrong. Of course I'll always give extra credit just for recognizing that the old crew got together again. And they did amazing. They absolutely make the heart of the movie and managed to bring that good old feeling modern Christmas movies mostly lack and that's nostalgia for how we see Christmas in our hearts. Togetherness, light, joy and fun. And this movie although being made in 2022 actually takes place in the never regretted 80s. Just like the original made in the 80s was about 50s. Thank you for this beautiful experience on Christmas. Together with the first movie now we have a package of quality. Don't trust the average rating. It's better than that. Merry Christmas. - shebasae - 25 December 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed! Well written...
Very well done. Both my husband and I went into this not expecting much and were pleasantly surprised. The transitions to the classic stylized flashbacks and incorporation of little things that married the original with this film, wonderfully done! The homage paid to the memories and laughs from the original, just cannot say enough positive points. The actors that played Ralph's kids, adorable and perfect performances in my opinion. The delivery and interactions between the characters we so very real and believable. We were engaged and invested for the entirety.
Warmed our hearts, made us laugh and smile. A new movie to add to our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day traditions! Just loved it! - christopher-cole83 - 24 December 2022
A Near Perfect Sequel
It's very rare to get a sequel to a movie that comes anywhere close to living up to the original. I dare say it's even more rare when the original has become a classic of the holiday season. A Christmas Story Christmas is about as close as a sequel I've ever seen that comes close to the original.
Ralph Parker, the boy who wanted a Red Ryder 200 range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and had an overactive imagination, is now a father himself with a wife and a couple of kids. He's still very much a dreamer though, dreaming that some publisher would take a chance on his manuscript (and it's eventual sequel). Christmas is coming though and that provides him enough of a distraction until he gets the news that his old man has passed away.
Most of the rest of the movie deals with Ralph(ie) longing to make Christmas special for his family as his old man had made it for him. Through various scenes as he watches his kids play (and get tormented by the local bullies), he's reminded that people aren't perfect, nor are the circumstances they try to create for themselves or find themselves in. And in one particular scene Ralph is given a glimpse of how even something bad that happened to someone could have a positive impact on their life.
What this movie has is a lot of callback to "A Christmas Story", which shouldn't be that surprising considering many of the characters and original actors make an appearance. Yet I also felt like it had enough of its own story to work. I have to say I really enjoyed this sequel, but there's only one thing that bothers me about it (and that's the reason I can't give it 5 stars): what happened with the Red Ryder 200 range model air rifle with a compass in the stock? - goshamorrell - 23 December 2022
Best Sequel to a classic but a new classic to the holidays.
Everyone's favorite woebegone holiday humbug Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) now has two kids of his own when A Christmas Story Christmas finds him in 1973. He's taking a year off the corporate grind to achieve his dream of writing the next great American novel but his wife's deadline to get published by the year's end looms. The unexpected death of his dad means Ralphie now has to be his home's Father Christmas, ensuring his kids and the entire family have all the fixings for a great holiday. A Christmas Story Christmas can't step into the legacy of the original Christmas classic because it doesn't have decades of built-up admiration and joy. It doesn't try to be the original film, but it doesn't completely separate itself from A Christmas Story either. It knows that most of the people watching want the hits. They want the easter egg moments and for Randy to say "Ralphie" a million times. Because A Christmas Story Christmas knows its success depends on its nostalgic appeal, it caters mostly to the fans of the original. This comes in the form of callbacks, infamous scenes, repeat jokes, and flashbacks to A Christmas Story. Despite the lack of originality, only a Grinch would get upset at the homages, which have the comforting feel of familiar holiday traditions. Billingsley, still displaying a youthful enthusiasm, has aged into the role of the story's narrator, although his commentary lacks the amusing folksiness and reflectiveness that Jean Shepherd, the author of the book on which the films are based, brought to it. A Christmas Story Christmas will hardly supplant its predecessor as a holiday perennial. Nonetheless, it's good to know that the Parker family still knows how to have a Yuletide good time after all these years. - jjagermeisterr - 19 December 2022
Loved it!
When I heard that there was going to be a sequel, I was worried it would not live up to its prequel. But it does, it's such a cute sequel, but a little more serious tone, as the movie revolves around the "old man". It's well written with some fantastic memories. I was bummed that Melinda Dillon did not return, and she was greatly missed, but Julie Hagerty did a fantastic job.
I would've love a little more of Randy, Scut Farkas, and Grover Dill, but it was good seeing them in their little roles.
Not going to lie, I did get teary with the "old man" memories, he played that character so well, and he was so relatable. - djrm-82237 - 13 December 2022
Christmas Film of the Year
Spectacular is not enough to describe it. This film is an absolute sight to behold. Vince Vaughn should be proud of this and rightfully so. Many will criticize this film in variety, but those who cherish the first "A Christmas Story" will appreciate the nostalgia. I will note this film should not be watched purely for nostalgia, but for how it is great in its own right. Peter Billingsley, after almost 40 years, has still got it and is still unmistakable by recognition and his acting as the lovable Ralphie Parker. His child-like quality and role as the protagonist and the new "Old Man" is both emotional and hilarious. I cannot explain how phenomenal he is along with the new and original cast including Julie Hagerty, Scott Schwartz, Ian Petrella, R. D. Robb, Zach Ward, Erinn Hayes, and more. Down to the music, cast, set, and use of audio/film from the first film is truly an experience of reminiscing. A time-honored tradition and legacy of Christmas if you ask me. This film is close to my heart and is the best sequel to the original, dare I say even greater. It's heartbreaking to not see Darren McGavin present, but this is honest tribute to him and I think he would be proud. Fantastic and warm-hearted. Nothing but the echo of Christmas in the past, present, and to come.
