By Geno McGahee
I was never a fan of Tim Allen’s standup comedy routine or his TV show, but he has found magic in his films. He is legitimately funny and it was never more on display than it was in WILD HOGS. I have found enjoyment in most of Allen’s movies that I have seen, even GALAXY QUEST. His mannerisms and overplaying of the roles is amusing. So, when I saw that he starred in the Xmas movie, CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS, I decided to give it a shot. I am on this Xmas film rampage and am going to watch any and every Xmas flick I can get my hands on.
Luther Krank (Tim Allen) and Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis) are spending Xmas without their daughter, Blair (Julie Gonzalo) for the first time. Luther decides that instead of spending all of the money to celebrate the holiday, why not spend that money on a cruise. Nora reluctantly agrees, but as the neighbors start to complain, the idea starts to grow on her. The neighbors, led by Vic (Dan Aykroyd), are not too happy with their refusal to decorate or adhere to the community traditions. Every house is decorated but not the Kranks. The pressure from the community is getting to Nora, but Luther is dealing with it well. At times, he’s almost having fun with it.
Luther has tunnel vision and keeps trying to convince his wife that the cruise is the right idea. He goes out to eat with her but she notices that there’s something wrong with him. His face is swollen and his eyebrows are too high. He also can’t keep food in his mouth. Luther got Botox injections in his face and this was a hilarious scene. Allen was so over the top and cartoonish.
In preparation for the cruise, the couple decides to go tanning, and I have to say that Jamie Lee Curtis looked pretty good. In FREAKY FRIDAY, she was rather repulsive, but here, she looked good. She got herself into shape and was wearing this bikini and I know that there are rumors that she was born with man-junk, but after seeing her here, I have to question that. I see no evidence of a prick.
The harassment from the neighbors continue but the couple holds their ground until the day before the trip when their daughter phones and tells them that she is coming home for Christmas with her new boyfriend. They must scramble to save Christmas and reconnect with the neighbors that they have been feuding with to have their party and make their house look festive.
In the end, the Kranks realize what Christmas is all about and there are some really touching moments here. The film does go from zany to mushy really well and it does capture the essence of the holiday and what it means. It really does wrap up well.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS is very funny at times and is cast very well. It is hard to go wrong with Tim Allen in a comedy and he does well here again and had plenty of support as well. I recommend it. I really enjoyed it.
Rating: 8/10
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