I first saw Jingle All the Way in 2018, and by that point, I had heard horror stories this being one of the worst Christmas movies ever made. Perhaps it was because I had no expectations for the movie going in, but I absolutely loved it, and now it's in my yearly cannon of holiday classics.
Why? All of the actors are having a great time, and lean into the patently absurd script. Schwarzenegger steals the show, delivering quotable lines ("PUT THAT COOKIE DOWN"), great slapstick, and a ton of energy. Sinbad also delivers a surprisingly great comedic performance. Kids will absolutely love this movie, but there's plenty of humor that adults will enjoy too.
The movie is *very* over-the-top; whether or not that's a good thing is purely up to taste. There's also a vaguely anti-consumerist message throughout the whole film, but the movie is the best when it avoids social commentary, says "screw it", and you end up watching a bunch of Santas fighting in a warehouse.
A strong candidate for the most underrated holiday film, period. Give it another watch if you haven't already; high alcohol content egg nog will only enhance your viewing experience.
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