Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! (2012)

Simply Perfect

Dreadfully Boring

best movie i've ever seen.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Marc Wootton returns as the childlike incompetent teacher's assistant Mr Poppy and irritates the hell out of everyone including this viewer.David Tennant in a dual role is the new teacher Mr Donald Peterson who is tormented by Mr Poppy and ends up taking the schoolkids over the mountains of Wales to enter the National 'Song for Christmas' Competition, mainly because Mr Shakespeare from the posh rival school switched the road signs.However Mr Shakespeare meets his match in Mr Roderick Peterson, a celebrated musical director, also a cheat and Donald's twin brother who conspires to do whatever it takes to succeed.The film gives the impression that it had a semi finished script with some ad libbing from the kids. You get a bit of riffing of The X Factor audition stage. The infantile plot runs out of steam long before the finish line but then you end up with a lot of singing and dancing from the kids. All very forgettable and I doubt even the kids would enjoy it much.

This is a serious warning to any parent thinking about letting their child watch this. Don't. Forget the film and the stupidity of the plot where a teacher kidnaps and puts 14 children in an absolutely stupidly dangerous situations - but they even suggest this is fine to do, and that absailing of a cliff edge on a tiny piece of rope and no safety equipment is the right course of action. I could go on about the plot but my main concern is that any child who watches this may be tempted to copy what they see in this film. This will kill them. When I heard the rumours that this film was written by children, I didn't think it could be true. Then I watched it. It is beyond stupid comedy, it overstepped the line into the danger zone.

Not normally one for writing film reviews but having just watched this with the kids felt compelled to defend it (to a certain extent).The key word is KIDS film.Mine are 3 and 6 and they both sat laughing the whole way through and immediately wanted it on again when it finished.That,in my book,is a good enough measure of a children's film rather than expecting it to have lots of subtle gags that adults would appreciate.Having said that,being that I'm a bit silly natured myself,I found it amusing enough in places to keep me watching alongside them without wishing for the end too much.The story line is beyond ridiculous but if you're after a good hearted film to get you in the Christmas mood with your kids you could do worse.

Nativity 2 is a welcome addition to the winter holiday with great chemistry between David Tennant and Mac Wootton)When teacher, Donald Peterson (David Tennant) takes a job at StvBernadette's he has a hard time earning he respect of his pupils but a even harder time being accepted by classroom assistant Mr Poppy, (Wootton) who is still struggling to accept the departure of the previous teacher. On top of all that Mr Poppy convinces Mr Peterson to enter the class for the'Sing a Song for Christmas' competition in Wales but he's less keen when he finds out his brother, Roderick who is highly competitive is also competing. David Tennant once again perfects another role. Although both Pam Ferris and Marc Wootton give great contributions also.Nativity 2 goes along the same heart warming and comical approach and has something for children and adults alike.