Welcome to Second Union’s “Films To Make You Festive“. For the majority of December, Second Union will be talking about our favorite “festive films” in an attempt to get our readers ready for the holiday season. Expect action, adventure and all the nostalgia a Christmas period can possibly produce!
What is it about Christmas that makes us watch, realistically, terrible films time after time? On any other occasion, it’s fair to say that these films are quite simply, ridiculous. However, each and every year, movies such as Jingle All The Way will always be on that list of much-watch festive films, and, let’s face it, they grow increasingly enjoyable the more we watch them.
Jingle All The Way is one of those Arnold Schwarzenegger films released in the mid-1990s that everyone continually scratches their collective heads regarding his motives. After failing to attend his son’s Kickboxing recital, Howard (Arnie) must now spend Christmas Eve frantically racing around town in search of the new Turbo Man Action Figure, the toy that will undoubtedly mend the bridges he has so systemically burned over the last few years.
So, as I said before, Jingle All The Way at any other time of the year would be reviled for its shoddy acting, it’s ridiculous story, and it’s baffling use of domestic terrorism as a means to further the plot. However, due it being set during this holiday season, we find ourselves almost relating to the hapless Arnie and his all too familiar dilemma of panic buying that last present on what is probably the most anarchic day of the calendar year. Throw in the uncomfortably deviant behavior of next-door neighbor, Ted, and we’ve got ourselves one hell of a viewing experience.
Accompanying Arnie in this, adventure(?), is future Anakin Skywalker, Jake Lloyd, the much loved, and dearly missed, Phil Hartman as the creepy neighbor Ted and Sinbad as what has to be the most confusing, tragic and disturbing foil to an antagonist I’ve ever seen.
What makes Jingle All The Way festive then? Well apart from the obvious setting, it’s message of family and friends is clearly one we can all appreciate. Not to mention the incredibly relevant parallel we can draw with ourselves regarding preparation for the big day. Instead of suffering yourself, watch Arnie yell some of his quotable lines in this unforgettable story that’ll leave a taste in your mouth whether you want it or not.
