Jingle Jangle
Ratings: 4.6/5
Duration: 2 hrs 02 mins
Language: English
Genre: Musical Fantasy
Director: David E. Talbert
Writer: David E. Talbert
Producer: Kristin Burr, Vicki Dee Rock, Mike Jackson, John Legend, David McIlvain, Lyn Sisson-Talbert, David E. Talbert
Music: John Debney, Michael Diskint
Cinematography: Remi Adefarasin
Editing: Joe Galdo, Virginia Katz, Michael Tronick
Art Direction: Phil Harvey, Patricia Johnson, Steven Lawrence, Harry Pain, Quinn Robinson
Release Date: 13 November 2020
Released In: Theatres
Star Cast: Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Anika Noni Rose, Madalen Mills, Phylicia Rashad, Ricky Martin, Justin Cornwell, Sharon Rose, Lisa Davina Phillip, Kieron L. Dyer, Miles Barrow, Diaana Babnicova, Ria Calvin, Kenyah Sandy, Tobias Poppe, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Gabriel Mokake, Philip Lawrence
Plot: Decades after his apprentice betrays him, a once joyful toy maker finds new hope when his bright young granddaughter appears on his doorstep.
Review: Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, Netflix's latest is an entertaining musical comedy that would prove to be very popular this holiday season, as it will probably be a feel-good experience that is much needed on this year.
In the opening minutes of David E. Talbert's new holiday film, two young children ask their grandmother (Phylicia Rashad) to tell them a holiday tale. One of them specifically requests "Twas the Night Before Christmas," prompting her to say: "I think it's time for a new story."
Writer/director Talbert (Baggage Claim, Almost Christmas) originally deployed this movie as a stage musical, and the elements of theatre and larger than life productions can be seen, including an elaborately choreographed (by Ashley Wallen) snowball fight. The musical score features songs of John Legend and Philip Lawrence, the latter best known for his Grammy-winning collaborations with such performers as Bruno Mars.
The plot, which is absolutely simple for anyone to conceive, revolves around Jeronicus having a hard time after the death of his wife and the betrayal of his apprentice (Keegan-Michael Key, delivering an amazing performance). Years later, with the help of his young granddaughter Journey (newcomer Madelen Mills), Jeronicus manages to re-ignite the spirit that first inspired him.
This Christmas film also has some flashy musical numbers and positive messages about family, tradition, patience, forgiveness, and curiosity.
Jingle Jangle is overloaded with visual elements with- choreography by Ashley Wallen (“The Greatest Showman”), colourful costumes created by costumer Michael Wilkinson (“The Gentlemen”) and a fantasy production design from Gavin Bocquet (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”). This film creates the perfect mood and vibrancy of a holiday.
The film with its high doses of magical stop-motion and CGI animation has incorporated a sort of diversity that will help it appeal to a broader audience.
