Review of Jingle All the Way (1996) by Brandon H — 23 Nov 2012

As far-fetched as many elements of this film are, from the ridiculous Turboman "battle" to close out the Wintertainment parade to the crazy mailman and his bomb threats, the fact remains that the riot scenes played out at multiple toy stores throughout this one are ripped straight from the headlines. Though this one was inspired by shortages of Cabbage Patch dolls in the mid-1990s, the continued struggle of soccer moms nationwide to find the next Tickle Me Elmo has kept this film relevant even 16 years later.

In terms of comedy, this one is as formulaic as one would expect. Schwarzenegger is the quiet giant that's beaten by a gaggle of moms with plastic candy canes in a mall playground, yet physically imposing to store clerks. Sinbad's character serves as nothing more than to facilitate competition for Ahnold, no matter how ridiculous (he starts as an overly talkative parent at toy store #1, yet only 30 minutes later is macing a fellow father and threatening to blow up a radio station.).

When all is said and done, it is a slapstick comedy doing everything it can to make a commercial length feature out of a sitcom plot (the ridiculous plot twist that takes Schwarzenegger to a warehouse full of criminal Santas reeks of filler). But for all the ridiculous elements, the film does have its share of laughs, and does well to make comedy of how crazy the nation has become in the pursuit of holiday retail. It's far from a masterpiece, but it's a comedy based on a completely asinine reality. And in that regard, for all its flaws it's a necessary release.