The Age of Commercialism

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Christmas was on its way, I was prepared to try as many festive films as possible, even the terrible sounding ones, so I saw this one, directed by Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge from Star Trek: The Next Generation, LeVar Burton. Basically eccentric Aunt Millie (Little Voice's Brenda Blethyn) starts telling her ten year old niece Jess Cameron (Jennifer Pisana) a story about another ten year old, to help her get over best friend Bobby (Demetrius Joyette) moving away. So the story begins, ten year old Katie Andrews (Zoe Warner) is trying to become a champion ice skater, the one thing she loves in the world, and she practises in the rink near her house to get ready. She makes a friend with former Olympic skating champion Otto Brewer, but she is shattered when her father Ted (J.D. Nicholsen) loses his job and they have to move to the city. Meanwhile, in the North Pole, a new reindeer is born to parents Blitzen (Leif Bristow) and Delphi (Ellen-Ray Hennessy), and Santa Claus (Christopher Plummer) names it Blizzard. As she grows up, Blizzard (Whoopi Goldberg) finds out she is more special than most other reindeer, possessing all three gifts: flight, invisibility, and empathic navigation - seeing with her heart. With this third gift, Blizzard feels Katie's sadness, so going against the rules given by Archimedes (Kevin Pollak), she flies to find the little girl and investigate. They meet and become friends very quickly, the reindeer wants to her to realise her dream to skate in a championship, and she also teaches her that friends never go anywhere if you remember them. Archimedes finds out about the rule breaks by Blizzard and one or two of her friends, and threatens banishment, but Santa forgives her and Katie, who did win the skating competition, and even though Blizzard flies away out of her life, in the present an older Millie Katie Andrews still feels her. Goldberg is okay as the smart-mouthed reindeer with all the gifts and a big heart, and the skating sequence was alright, but the best is as the critics say just a load of slush and predictable material. It may appeal to the much younger audience, and possibly if all the family gather for the season, but for me, a silly Christmas fantasy adventure. Adequate!

This is a wonderful film. It is both creative and heartfelt and truly well done. I loved the reindeer they were great. this film shows that there art still film makers out there who believe in mankind enough to create movies that show the better side of this world not the evil most film makers seem to harp on. We buy this film on DVD and it will become a Chritmas tradition. It would be refreshing to see more of this type of film with morals that show that there is still enough good people out there that take the time to make a difference by creating films of value and what life should be like.With all the nonsense that we face every day and the world we live in we need to see the better side of life.The only negative comment I have is the fact the little girl Kate has pierced ears and should not have. Kids back then did not do that until they were at least 16( Iknow it is just a little detail but I find those things take away from the film it is the little details that can make or brake a film.It is more pleasing to watch something that is well thought out including all details) On the whole my family and friends loved this film and hope there are more out there. Thanks

My family got this movie in a Christmas gift basket from my husband's employer. I looked at it and saw that it had a few actors I have heard of and I kind of put off watching it. Last night I noticed Levar Burton directed it and I changed my mind. I have enjoyed his work so much on Reading Rainbow and Star Trek TNG. We sat down today to watch Blizzard and no one left until the show was over. We absolutely enjoyed this movie. My youngest is just 2 and she was enthralled with the character of Blizzard. Whoopi Goldberg did an excellent job of playing a young gifted reindeer. Kevin Pollock was so fun to watch. He was soooo bossy. The story brings a touch of magic to Christmas and I wished we had watched it last week before the holidays. It will be a movie we watch every year.

This film was the most entertaining movie I've seen in a long time....and my kids just loved it!! So will yours!! It has the most amazing visual effects, but more important, it has a phenomenal story with great heart. Everyone should see this picture....it is destined to be a classic!