A man is determined to win the neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. He makes a pact with an elf to help him win–and the elf casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, which brings unexpected chaos …
Eddie Murphy’s forty year film career has seen the celebrated comedian in a variety of roles and situations, but Candy Cane Lane marks the first time the superstar has appeared in a Christmas themed movie. Murphy has been successfully mixing family friendly flicks with adult fare for the last three decades, so it seems like a no-brainer in terms of concept. And in Candy Cane Lane Eddie Murphy is perfectly serviceable it’s the unfocused story that betrays him.
Special effects are well done with the animation of the living ornaments, and Murphy gets laughs with the limited opportunities the script gives him, but the story goes on for at least 15 minutes too long. For all the money spent on CGI and star power the sets look cheap and obviously shot on the Universal backlot. So how do you review the film? In comparison with other star driven Holiday films of the past, Candy Cane Lane ranks below The Santa Clause, Jingle all the Way and Surviving Christmas but it’s better than duds like Fred Claus and Office Christmas Party.
Directed by: Reginald Hudlin
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell
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