Northpole (2014)

You won't be disappointed!

Don't listen to the negative reviews

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Northpole is without a doubt one of the best Christmas films of 2014 and one of Hallmark's best films.As far as the plot goes, it's far beyond what we see in other Christmas productions. A city at the North Pole called Northpole is on the brink of demise due to lack of Christmas spirit from the people down South. One elf (played by Bailee Madison) decided to seek help from one boy who still believes in Christmas and with help from his reluctant mom (played by Saved By The Bell's Tiffani Thiessen) and his teacher, they decided bring Christmas cheer the boy's new hometown.The plot was good though some parts could used more work. I will admit, I did feel uncomfortable at the moments where the mom disbelieves her son about Northpole though she did regret her actions quickly. When you're an adult, it gets hard to believe in everything.The acting from the actors was all right. The special effects were great. It looked like Hallmark spend a fortune on the Northpole scenes.Despite a few minor flaws in the story, Northpole is still an enjoyable Holiday film. Some people may love it, some may not love it, but hey, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I personally recommend this film for those that love Hallmark Channel and its Christmas films.

"Northpole" is not a bad Christmas special. It's not totally memorable, but it is definitely better than the 1994 version of "Miracle on 34th Street" and "Frosty Returns."The story seems a little scattered, but as it progresses, we end up with a major plot twist which throws things for a loop. Fortunately, of course, things get straightened out.The music is decent, and the location shoots in both Quebec, Canada and Portland, Maine are good. The cast is excellent--but with one exception. I don't consider Robert Wagner's casting as Santa Claus as the best. His voice alone detracts; it's like having Jonathan Hart with long white hair and a white beard. Never mind his negative press over what happened with his late wife, Natalie Wood; he does not seem to project warmth for the role. He might have been better off playing the role of the mayor or the developer.And as for Jill St. John, it is her first acting role in 12 years, and she was there because of her husband. She pulls off her role much better than Mr. Wagner, since I could hear the age in her voice.As said earlier, the rest of the cast is great and they carry the special. Very typical of so much of the Hallmark specials out there, and definitely worth a watch.

Well, this has never happened before. NORTHPOLE's elaborate magical thesis involves happiness as a magical fuel, the Northern Lights, a huge company town called Northpole which looks like a shopping mall with Christmas decorations, eleven-year-old Max Charles, described as a "little boy" by his teacher, and his reporter mother Tiffani Thiesson investigating the big story of why their town's tree-lighting ceremony has been cancelled for the year. Plus she worries Max is delusional.I don't blame her. The story is a mess and it's only the fine, professional acting, Pierre Jodoin's cheery, brightly-lit camera-work, and Annie Ilkow's brisk editing that keep things moving along. James Gelfand's score is fine; I've been annoyed by the tweedly, manipulative score that a lot of these Hallmark movies sport. Mr. Gelfand's score supports the show, which it is supposed to do. I would never have noticed it if I hadn't been listening for it. Robert Wagner and Jill St. John show up in small roles as Mr. & Mrs. Claus for us old folks who like old stars. Candice Glover shows up to sing the last two bars of "Angels We Have Heard on High" and and "Silent Night".I'm sure this movie will please many of the people who watch the Hallmark Christmas movie festival. I think it tries for a whimsical tone, but fails because it is too elaborate.

I have seen almost every big Christmas movie and the marginally noteworthy ones, Northpole is dead center between the two. In the opening scene on my 60" HDTV, I'd have bet money this was actually a big budget Hollywood blockbuster. The view of "Northpole" was as colorful and bright as any Christmas movie I've ever seen, and that's high praise for a Hallmark Channel production. Mind you, I am not a fan of most Hallmark Christmas movies. They almost always feature Hollywood has-been's, one-hit-wonders who's 15 minutes passed long ago or "never-was's". They're abysmally formulaic, unimaginative and they always look like they had a budget of $12. Here is the entire script of 90% of all Hallmark Christmas movies; There is a jaded woman who's lost her faith in love, a single mom who meets an unassuming man with a heart of gold (like this guy would be single). He rekindles her faith by restoring something in the town, some building or Christmas tradition, or he finds a way to reach the woman's son who has emotional baggage, a disease or he's in a wheelchair...how'd I do? Northpole doesn't break any new ground, and the storyline fits my stereotype more than not. It stars Tiffani Thiessen (Saved by the Bell) and Bailee Madison (Once Upon a Time)who is just charming in everything she does, and a host of actors you've never seen before. This movie won't become an annual classic, but you won't likely change the channel either. Take it for what it's worth, a better-than-average made for TV holiday flick and Merry Christmas.