So my last film review was of Gambit and with two new releases to review yesterday I ended up doing a back to back of film reviews and the second film I watched was Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger starring David Tennant.
The battle is on to win a “Song for Christmas” and David Tennant has to go up against his twin brother who is the pride of his father and thinks that David Tennant’s character is a failure.
Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger Blazing Minds Film Review
The one thing that you may have heard about Nativity 2 is that there was no script, by that they mean that there is a story, but when it comes to the acting it is improvised and you do pick on this early on in to the film, it does feel little uncomfortable.
Nativity 2 plods along at a rather slow pace as the characters seem to struggle with where the film is going and as it moves along there isn’t really much that has you gunning for the characters to make it on their journey to Wales to enter the Song for Christmas contest.
The first Nativity was much funnier than this second helping, there really isn’t much here for the parents taking the kids to see the film, Mr Poppy returns as the slightly deranged assistant teacher and nephew to the headmistress, with his annoying attempt to keep the children amused.
It’s just a bit of a crazy film with a moment on the Welsh mountains and Mr Poppy (Marc Wootton) saying to Mr Peterson (David Tennant) while they are trying to get across to a castle, “Donkeys can fly, isn’t that right Mr Peterson”, really!
But let’s face it, Nativity 2 isn’t aimed at the adult market, it’s for the small kids and most of the humor is something that they can associate with, but surely something should be there for the adults to find funny as well, which sadly there isn’t.
Filmed in a style of turning the camera on and then just saying something is much like the TV show outnumbered, but that’s great for a 30 minute TV show, but no so much for film running at 105 mins, it’s just too long and could have easily had been knocked down to around 85 mins.
But there is a plus side to the film, when the kids do get to the Song for Christmas contest the actually songs and routines in the contest are nicely done and for me this is where Nativity 2 started to be more enjoyable, there are some talented kids in the performances and all nicely written and choreographed.
Overall Thoughts For Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger
Very small kids will enjoy the crazy kid humour of the film and for this reason it’s going to be one of those films where the parents will be dragged along for the kids, it’s an ideal film for those kids, older kids may not find it funny and it is a little long.
But if you like the improvisation of the show Outnumbered and the first Nativity then this may appeal to you.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
