There were quite a few reasons for wanting to see 'A Royal Christmas'. The title was a little corny but also somewhat appealing. The idea for the story was hardly original but sounded sweet and fun enough. Lacey Chabert is always watchable, and listenable , and generally one of the better prolific Hallmark leads, whether their festive efforts or overall. Have been on another one of my completest quests since November/December, and 'A Royal Christmas' was part of it.
As far as the films seen as part of this particular quest goes, 'A Royal Christmas' struck me as one of the stronger faring ones and found myself surprisingly quite liking it. It is not perfect or quite great, but it was to me respectfully a lot better than the more negative, with its critical reception being quite mixed, reviews led me to believe. One of Chabert's better festive Hallmark films too, and she has been in a fair few that have varied in quality.
Chabert is also one of 'A Royal Christmas' best selling points. Not everybody may warm completely to her character, she was just fine for me. Very cute without being too cutesy and amusing, her decision making didn't annoy me or ring false too much, and Chabert plays her with charm and wit. Stephen Hagan is also likeable in his role and didn't seem stiff or devoid of personality, the chemistry between him and Chabert is sweet with some playfulness here and there. Katherine Flynn doesn't overplay too much Natasha's over-confidence, which would have grated if it had been, but it's Jane Seymour's icy and regal Isidora that shines most of the cast.
Production values are also well done, especially the eteriors and interiors of the palace. So gorgeous and like a character of its own. There is a playful and charmingly script, where the dialogue doesn't flow awkwardly, and while the story is very formulaic it moves swiftly and has not too over-sentimental heart that some Hallmark films don't have enough of. Characterisation has varied with Hallmark, while the characters don't have depth at least they to me were not vanilla in personality, none pointless and all interesting in their own way. The servants for instance were amusing. Some nice moments in the soundtrack.
In that regard though, mostly the soundtrack was a little too loud and could have been utilised more subtly. At times the costumes are slightly on the cheap side, like with the nuns.
More surprises in the plot would have been more welcome and would have given it more freshness.
Summarising, not bad at all. Pleasantly surprising actually. 7/10
As far as the films seen as part of this particular quest goes, 'A Royal Christmas' struck me as one of the stronger faring ones and found myself surprisingly quite liking it. It is not perfect or quite great, but it was to me respectfully a lot better than the more negative, with its critical reception being quite mixed, reviews led me to believe. One of Chabert's better festive Hallmark films too, and she has been in a fair few that have varied in quality.
Chabert is also one of 'A Royal Christmas' best selling points. Not everybody may warm completely to her character, she was just fine for me. Very cute without being too cutesy and amusing, her decision making didn't annoy me or ring false too much, and Chabert plays her with charm and wit. Stephen Hagan is also likeable in his role and didn't seem stiff or devoid of personality, the chemistry between him and Chabert is sweet with some playfulness here and there. Katherine Flynn doesn't overplay too much Natasha's over-confidence, which would have grated if it had been, but it's Jane Seymour's icy and regal Isidora that shines most of the cast.
Production values are also well done, especially the eteriors and interiors of the palace. So gorgeous and like a character of its own. There is a playful and charmingly script, where the dialogue doesn't flow awkwardly, and while the story is very formulaic it moves swiftly and has not too over-sentimental heart that some Hallmark films don't have enough of. Characterisation has varied with Hallmark, while the characters don't have depth at least they to me were not vanilla in personality, none pointless and all interesting in their own way. The servants for instance were amusing. Some nice moments in the soundtrack.
In that regard though, mostly the soundtrack was a little too loud and could have been utilised more subtly. At times the costumes are slightly on the cheap side, like with the nuns.
More surprises in the plot would have been more welcome and would have given it more freshness.
Summarising, not bad at all. Pleasantly surprising actually. 7/10