Jingle All The Way: Family Fun Edition – DVD Review

Film, Reviews

Available at Amazon.com

Director

Brian Levant

Cast

Arnold Schwarzenegger ………. Howard Langston
Sinbad ………. Myron Larabee
Phil Hartman ………. Ted Maltin
Rita Wilson ………. Liz Langston
Robert Conrad ………. Officer Hummell
Martin Mull ………. D.J.
Jake Lloyd ………. Jamie Langston
James Belushi ………. Mall Santa

The Movie

Seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger go from being an action god on the big screen to being the star of family films was about as disheartening to action movie aficionados as seeing Hong Kong star Jackie Chan play second fiddle to a third-rate comedian. Seeing the star of Raw Deal, Red Heat, Commando, Predator and other full-throttle action films become the star of Junior and Jingle All the Way. And while a brief dalliance with action films started before his gubernatorial run in California, Arnold playing the sort of roles Tim Allen has made a career out of took a bit of the edge of the man who redefined what an action hero was for a generation. With his movie career most likely over at this point due to politics, films like Jingle All the Way disappear as films like True Lies and the first Terminator trilogy will define his legacy more than anything else.

Arnold’s venture into the realm of family film making takes him into the role of Howard Langston, a man on a mission of sorts. It’s the holidays and his son wants the latest, greatest toy out there: Turbo Man. Having forgot about the toy, its days before Christmas Eve and now Howard has to venture into the mall to find a Turbo Man toy. In his way is Myron (Sinbad), a postal service worker who wants a toy for his son as well. The two engage in a series of shenanigans ending in Howard and Myron donning the costumes of Turbo Man and his arch-villain respectively for possession of a special version of the doll.

And for those of us who grew up with Arnold as the action hero, it’s hard to watch him be the wacky father figure who’s constantly the brunt of slapstick humor. It’s a credit to him as an actor that he pulls it off so well, as he elicits a good deal of chuckles with his ability to deliver a good one liner (and take a good hit), but it’s still off-putting to see him without a machine gun saving the world. Arnold’s good sport for the film, doing his best with what’s clichéd material and it makes for an interesting performance to say the least.

Brian Levant takes clichéd material and makes it a relatively worthwhile endeavor. This is a family film that wants to appeal to all ages and has found a second life on television during the Christmas season. It isn’t a film for the ages, but it’s a good one to watch for an injection of the Christmas spirit.

A/V QUALITY CONTROL

Presented in a Dolby Digital format with a widescreen presentation, the film looks exactly the same as the other edition released several years ago. Nothing has been changed, as it’s an excellent a/v format.

The Extras

The Film’s Extended Cut is accessible from the special features menu, as well as the ability to watch the added footage into it separately.

The Making of a Hero is the behind the scenes portion of the film. Focusing on how the crew behind the creative aspect wanted to make a movie about the craziness of the toy craze around the holidays, the film’s toy (Turbo Man) is the focus of all the crazed shopping fanaticism during the holiday season. Featuring Arnold in archival footage, as well as new interviews from the creative folks behind the film, it’s an interesting look back at the film that lasts around 15 minutes.

Super Kids is a quick look at some children and why they like superheroes.

Turbo Man: Behind the Mask is a spoof of the VH1 series Behind the Music, the sort of biography of someone. It’s amusing on a certain level.

Games are also accessible for young ones to play

Photo Gallery

The DVD Lounge’s Ratings for
Jingle All The Way: Family Fun Edition
CATEGORY
RATING
(OUT OF 10)
THE MOVIE

7.0
THE VIDEO

8.5
THE AUDIO

8.5
THE EXTRAS

5.0
REPLAY VALUE

7.5
OVERALL
6.5
(NOT AN AVERAGE)