Once Upon A Christmas (2000)

How sad is this?

The acting in this movie is really good.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

This movie involves Santa and his family, Santa magic, and Christmas spirit. It is a bit preachy, or at least Kristen Claus is, about faith and love and peace and trust, etc. There is a definite evil antagonist, Rudolpha, Kristen's sister. She isn't merely greedy, but mean.Kristen, and this movie, are syrupy sweet, overly optimistic, and pathetically naïve. Since this is obviously a movie aimed at kids, these traits may be somewhat acceptable, but I found it overdone and annoying.The acting is not good, except possibly for the kids. Again, some of the overdone acting may be for a kid audience. Special effects and production were also below par. Outdoor sets had absolutely no feel of being outdoors.The story wasn't bad for Christmas fantasy, even if the Santa's child saves Christmas is not a new idea. Some of the other plot devices are equally unoriginal, but as a whole, the story works as long as you don't look too close at any specific detail or expect reality.

This is one movie that, honestly, i cant go a Christmas without! I have read other reviews, and i do agree that some of the effects are very cheesy(im looking at you, sleigh ride ;) ) And Kristen Prout's acting, especially during the suspension scene, is not the best, but all in all it was a very cute movie with great acting, and a different story line than most Christmas movies! It shows something that can/and really does happen(a widower hiding in their work). John Dye and Kathy Ireland looked so good together on the screen. As a mother of twin boys this is a movie i love to watch, one that the whole family can watch,and you don't have to worry about anything inappropriate popping up!

With all the great Christmas movies out there's no need to suffer through this one. This movie has cheap production values / special effects. The formula script show what a severe lack of good writers there are in this industry. Winter storm on que, deserted house, gimmie a break! The John Dye character was married , blessed with two children and yet gets a second chance at happiness. His brother-in-law Uncle Johnny is a bum. We know this because the writers have made him chubby and he wears glasses. WHAT STEREOTYPING. He's not worthy of having Kathy Ireland's character fall for him. The script would have been much better if Kristin and Uncle Johnny are the couple. Finally the happy ending managed by Kristin is ripped off from an old Xena episode. Go rent Miracle on 34th St.

Christmas has been put on hold! Santa's decided that since the majority of the kids in the world are "Naughty" and not "Nice," he's quitting. Unfortunately, this will leave his nasty elder daughter, Rudolfa, in charge, something for which his sweet younger child, Kristin, dislikes. And so, she makes a deal with pop - if she can return one family's name to the "Nice" list, Christmas is on. Except, this family's not going to be a piece of cake. A workaholic father and two spoiled children who desperately miss their mother, as well as a lay about uncle, make up for a charming and sweet Christmas comedy. Be sure and catch it on TV whenever you can! It's worth it.The acting's excellent (what else can you expect from Kathy Ireland & John Dye?), the plot's pretty good, and it has some comical moments. The special effects are kind of fake, but that's all right. It doesn't take away too much from the storyline, and will even give you a good chuckle over flying reindeer. Enjoy!