New to Amazon Prime Video from today is the Christmas fantasy comedy, Candy Cane Lane. The movie – directed by Reginald Hudlin – stars Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, and Nick Offerman, and tells the story of a father who encounters trouble when his Christmas decorations come to life.
In the movie, Chris Carver is a husband and father of three who lives in a beautiful neighbourhood called Candy Cane Lane. Everything is going fine in life until a few days before Christmas, Chris is laid off from his job.
Downbeat and unsure what to do next, Chris is concerned about the future. He also doesn’t want to ruin the festive season, because this could be the last family Christmas with his eldest daughter, who is due to go to college the following year.
But hope is just around the corner, when a cable TV network announces a competition for the residents of Candy Cane Lane. The network plans to give away a prize of $100,000 to the best Christmas decorated house on the block.
Keen to get his hands on the prize, and to make Christmas extra special for his family, Chris decides to go all out. He heads to the local store to stock up on new decorations to transform his house into a festive wonderland.
But when the store is completely out of decorations, Chris has to find an alternative, which leads him to a mysterious pop-up shop. Here is able to buy some unique items, unlike any he’s seen before, even if they do seem too good to be true.
However, the pop-up store and the new decorations are not what they appear to be and soon Chris finds himself with a new problem on his hands. He has inadvertently made a deal with a mischievous elf to obtain the decorations, and unless he resolves the situation before Christmas Eve he is in big trouble.
There are a couple of important points to note about Candy Cane Lane. 1.) The movie is kind of fun, but 2.) It’s too long.
The combination of these two things are in constant conflict with each other. The enjoyment of the movie is impeded by the fact it drags in places, which stops it from being better than it is.
This is a shame because Candy Cane Lane has potential and is quite likeable. Eddie Murphy is good in the lead role of Chris; there is a slightly sinister side to the premise which gives it an edge; and the whole thing is suitably festive.
If Candy Cane Lane was around 30-minutes shorter, and therefore it moved at a much faster pace, it would be a stronger film. As it stands, it is flabby in places and a touch too bloated for its own good.
However, at the same time it is quite creative and well meaning. So, if you can take the rough with the smooth, you may find it acceptable viewing.
On the plus side, Candy Cane Lane is mildly amusing in places, all the visuals elements stand up (set decoration, special effects, etc), and Jillian Bell appears to be having a ball camping it up as an evil elf. I’m not entirely sure she’s acting in the same movie as everyone else, but she’s enjoying herself regardless, so who am I to criticise?
To add to this, Eddie Murphy is in full ‘family film’ mode, so there’s no effing or jeffing, which means Candy Cane Lane is suitable for most ages, and there are some likeable characters in the shape of a collection of comedic ornament-people. Throw in a positive vibe, plenty of fairy lights, and Eddie Murphy in a Christmas jumper and… yeah… it’s alright.
Too long though. Much too long. But alright.
Candy Cane Lane is not the next Christmas classic, but it does bring some acceptable holiday cheer. It is more of a mood-setter than the main event, but it’s fine for those looking to kick-start the festivities.
Will you be returning to this movie on an annual basis? I’d say it’s doubtful, but there is joy to be had amongst what’s on offer, so if you can accept the good with the not-so-good Candy Cane Lane may prove entertaining.
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