Nativity 2 - Danger in the Manger

[Beate]

I was offered tickets to this screening this morning at Odeon West End. I had planned to see Untouchable but as I'll have some 4 more chances to see this, I though it can't be that bad, and there might be food.

Well, it was. And there wasn't. Gosh this was dire - a real clanger in the manger. There were cliches everywhere like sibling rivalry, a disappointed father, a birth scene in a haybarn, cutesy babies and donkeys, and if I see another plot about a little boy who "hasn't spoken since his Dad died", I am gonna hurl. Seriously. Nothing made any sense or was in any way believable. Not even being the nephew of the headmistress would make some overgrown child like Mr Poppy a classroom assistant - ever heard of Ofsted? How the hell do you get to hire a Ducktours vehicle to drive to Wales (nice product placement though) and where did all the costumes and on stage decorations come from? All that looked far too professional for school budgets. The songs were quite nice and varied but I didn't get how they won in the end - weren't they disqualified? Did they even sing on stage? And did we have to have two Dr Who's in this? One is quite bad enough, thank you. Sorry, c_t, but I don't like David Tennant - never have, never will.

And I hate having kids around me in a movie. They talk, they kick seats, they get up, they need the loo - parents, at least leave the sodding crying babies at home! So antisocial.

At least I got a green screen picture so it wasn't all for nothing.

5/10

[canadian_turtle]

The first Nativity is one of my favourite Christmas films; clever and heart-warming (without being cheesy) with a very catchy soundtrack. So I assumed the second would be at least to the same standard (possibly even more enjoyable to me as I love David Tennant), but sadly it wasn't. It was far too colourful, over the top and unrealistic.

The first half started off wel with the auditions which were adorable, especially the break-dancing boy stole the show, (I wonder if they were improvised by the children again like they did for the first film) and the introductions of all the new teachers, but the trip through Wales was manic and ridiculous. There were a few sweet and funny moments that had me chuckle but mostly I thought it was xaggerated.

And the last half hour or so dragged on. We get to see mostly everything of all the performances which, while the songs were okay (though nothing like the first film's "Sparkle and Shine"), was completely irrelevant. I did like the performances from the "main" contestants, but showing just those should've been enough.

The film slightly redeems itself with the audition outtakes at the end and at least it has Tennant being his usual handsome self, but overall it's barely a 7 our of 10 (whereas the first would be a 9.5).

Very disappointed by the "fun in the foyer" this time around too. No food displays, they wouldn't let me decorate a Christmas cupcake because I'm not a child (even though I hadn't had breakfast and I really wanted one...), and they didn't take the Christmas theme as an excuse for Christmas hats or reindeer! I did get a green screen picture though, which was fab as ever. But still, it was all very minimal.

Also, massive thanks to Beate and OH for the company


A clip from the first film to show how much more muted (colours and actions), and better for it, it was:

[shmile]

What a shambles! this second addition shouldn't make through the big screen. may attract small audience for TV viewings. 2/10

Arrived just in time for film to start so missed all the "NOT" so generous breakfast! Judging from the previous feed backs.

[The Sparrow]

Beate, why on earth do you go to family films if you hate having kids around you.
If they bother you so much, don't go!

[valda]

Beate, why on earth do you go to family films if you hate having kids around you.
If they bother you so much, don't go!

[Beate]

I guess I just live in the naive hope that they won't annoy me at the next screening! Don't see why I should have to make do without films I like just because of some sodding kids.

[valda]

But weren't they a competition or screening for parents (Devil's Advocate here)

[ejwrank]

Beate, why on earth do you go to family films if you hate having kids around you.
If they bother you so much, don't go!

Because she goes for the film and not for the kids.

Just because it's a kids' film doesn't mean they should be let to run around and misbehave during it. And people bringing in babies are plain rude. If your kids aren't behaving you should take them out.

[The Sparrow]

I totally agree about badly behaved children but that's the parents who are to blame.
However, from previous experience we know that children will need the toilet during the film. Hell, I see adults who go a few minutes after the film starts and that is far worse.
But saying you hate having kids around you during a family film is just ridiculous and just as selfish as the people who let their babies cry and children run around.
Either don't go to family films or get used to it because nothing is going to change.

[Celini]

I think Beate is used to it, she just likes moaning about it