The original ‘A Christmas Story’, which was first released in 1983 with tepid box-office receipts, saw new life as it hit the home market and grew into the holiday juggernaut that it is today. The original film is an adaptation of several chapters in the book “In God We Trust All Others Pay Cash” by Jean Shepard. This sequel does not adapt anything from the novel but does retain much of its spirit and even acknowledges the title with a plaque embossed with the platitude adorning a wall in Flick's bar.
The story takes place thirty-three years later, in 1973, and Ralphie has taken a year off to write and publish a novel. He still has a healthy albeit highly romanticizing imagination, but in this feature he has assumed the role of the father with his own unique dynamic. 'A Christmas Story Christmas' does not lean on nostalgia as much as I expected it to and the nostalgic moments are usually implemented organically. The film also remains pleasantly saccharine and contains plenty of callbacks to the original.
Almost all of the characters return as do most of the original actors who portrayed them with the notable exception of Melinda Dillion who originally portrayed Ralphie’s mother. Ralphie’s Old Man, who was played by the late Darrin McGavin, also did not return, but his character is honored in the film.
‘A Christmas Story Christmas’ reuses many of the plot points and narrative structure of the first one, but usually adds a twist to keep it from feeling too stale or a carbon copy.
When it comes to character, there are some fantastic arcs in this film that were especially satisfying because they began in the first film. Some of them are redemption arcs and this film serves to not only to honor but elevate the original. While the warm fuzzy feelings that the original evokes are present, there is a much more mature motif about grief that resonates throughout the film that is a reminder of the inevitability of death and impartial nature of time.
I was pleasantly surprised with ‘A Christmas Story Christmas’. it is a must-see for those who enjoyed 'A Christmas Story'. It makes for a solid film and above par sequel , but only time will tell if it has the same staying power as the original.
MY STAR RATING 3.5/5
Come visit The Brown Deer Public Library and choose from our wide array of Holiday Classics.
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