“Candy Cane Lane is a fun adventure about family. Eddie Murphy delivers the Christmas magic we need and then some more with his comedy genius.”
`Tis the season, so we all know it is time for Christmas films. And this year, the legendary Eddie Murphy is bringing the holiday magic with his latest film Candy Cane Lane! He stars alongside Jillian Bell, Tracee Ellis Ross, Thaddeus J. Mixson and Nick Offerman. Murphy also serves as a producer. This film is directed by Reginald Hudlin and written by Kelly Younger. It premieres globally on December 1st, exclusively on Prime Video.
STORY
Candy Cane Lane tells the story of Chris (Eddie Murphy) who is on a mission to win his neighbourhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest. However, everything goes wrong when he accidentally makes a deal with the mischievous elf Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning the contest. Chris and his family are in a race against time to break Pepper’s spell.
It is a simple plot, nothing we haven’t seen before but you don’t expect something groundbreaking when you watch a Christmas film. You expect to see Christmas magic. And that’s exactly what you get. This film ticks all the right boxes of what you would expect from any Christmas film. It is a fun adventure about family. On their journey to save Christmas, Chris and his family also learn to come together and face their problems. Each member of the family has their own goal and dream with their little side storyline which allows the audience to care about them. Furthermore, because it is an Eddie Murphy film, it doesn’t fail to deliver in terms of comedy. It brings some really nice laughs. Honestly, I am now craving for more Christmas films with the legend himself.
CAST
Moreover, it is always a pleasure to see Eddie Murphy in a film. I have watched his classic comedies over and over again. After all these years, he still got it. His line delivery, his facial expressions, it is still there. Eddie Murphy knows how to make us laugh. He is a comedy genius. Jillian Bell plays the mischievous elf and she is definitely having fun being bad. She is also someone who is very good at comedy. On top of that, it’s always nice to hear Nick Offerman’s voice. It is one of these voices that you can recognize anywhere. I don’t want to say the name because it is a surprise as the trailer didn’t reveal him but the actor playing Santa, he unexpectedly feels right for the role. It works so well, he is a little snarky and yet so benevolent. He is sporting a more classy outfit rather than the traditional Santa costume but I think this is the right fit for this Santa.
VISUALS & SOUNDTRACK
Marcus Miller delivers a good music score that carries the spirit of Christmas. The film also includes classic Christmas songs like Nat King Cole’s ‘The Christmas Song.’ Because it takes place in California, you don’t get the usual snowy setting but you still get the visual language of Christmas with bright colours and wonderful Christmas decorations. Pepper’s shop is just Christmas heaven in terms of decorations. And the CG is surprisingly good especially with the animals.
VERDICT
Candy Cane Lane is a fun adventure about family. Eddie Murphy delivers the Christmas magic we need and then some more with his comedy genius.
Candy Cane Lane releases tomorrow on Prime Video.
Collectables and Anime Editor for Future Of The Force.
Star Wars expert and Japan connoisseur.
