This time around, the fun Easter egg (to mix up holiday metaphors) from the end of the first film, which was Russell's real-life partner Goldie Hawn popping in as Mrs. Claus, is now a full part of the story as Darby Camp's Kate Pierce, and the anxious son of Kate's mom's suitor, Jack (played by Jahzir Bruno), get transported to Santa's village and find themselves in a brand new eleventh-hour crusade to save Christmas.Hawn, who has acted sparingly over the past few decades, fits perfectly into the festivities. The last time she acted alongside Russell, outside of the cameo in the first Christmas Chronicles, was 1987's Overboard, so watching the two of them sleigh ride into these roles is a treat. These Chronicles films are also just genuinely earnest and endearing adventures, with bloated budgets to help them feel souped-up (in the grand scheme of Santa cinema).
One curious creative choice in Part Two, which involves the mythical Belsnickel (Deadpool 2's Julian Dennison) trying to sabotage Christmas because -- well -- he's just a pain in the ass, is the sidelining of Judah Lewis' Teddy, and Bruno's Jack taking Teddy's place as Kate's second. Teddy's transformation, from grinch to good guy, was the centerpiece of the first film so it was odd to see the siblings split up this time around. Though, Part Two does showcase Kate as the one who needs to have her attitude adjusted.
Previously the effervescent "true believer," even in the wake of her father's death, Kate is now suffering in Part Two due to big changes in the family dynamic. Her mom (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) is being wooed by Tyrese Gibson's Bob and the entire soon-to-be blended family is vacationing in the tropics for Christmas. Kate hates all of it while Teddy, nicely, takes it in stride as the least resistant of the two.Kate's unruly mood makes her vulnerable to the Belsnickel's sneaky tactics and, before you know it, he's stolen the Light of Bethlehem and placed the entire season of good cheer in jeopardy. All Christmas needs is some soaring sleigh fights, some time-travel, some gingerbread cookie grenades, and Kate accepting some tweaks to tradition for everything to fall back into place. The film's a little long, as it feels like it should be barreling toward the end around the halfway point, but ultimately it gets the holly jolly job done.
Also, not for nothing, Part Two delves into the St. Nick lore more than expected. If you're a Kris Kringle nerd you'll appreciate the flashback to Santa's Turkish roots (leaving coins in people's shoes) and even some of the new-fangled glow ups to the narrative, such as Mrs. Claus being able to bake sweets that are actually healthy or the idea that the aurora borealis acts as a type of magical barrier that keeps Santa's village off the map. The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two, like the first film, is largely carried on Russell's capable shoulders but adding Hawn to the mix gives this sequel a gratifying reason for existing outside of "just more Christmas Chronicles."
