Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

November 14, 2020 1:54 PM

An imaginary world comes to life in a holiday tale of an eccentric toymaker, his adventurous granddaughter, and a magical invention that has the power to change their lives forever. (Netflix, musical)

Popsugar - Choreographer Ashley Wallen Is Behind the Dazzling Dance Numbers in Netflix's Jingle Jangle

Variety - David E. Talbert Made ‘Jingle Jangle’ So His Son Could See a Musical Christmas Movie With Black Characters

Variety - ‘Jingle Jangle’ Hair Team Created Authentic Black Styles of the Victorian Time Period

The Guardian review: Netflix’s festive fantasy about a kid and her inventor granddad is pure infectious energy – and with exquisite detail

The Hollywood Reporter - Jingle Jangle': David E. and Lyn Talbert Create a Christmas Film for All Families

IndieWire Review: Netflix Gifts the World an Overstuffed and Delightful Christmas Classic - David E. Talbert and a charming cast turn familiar holiday territory into a joyous musical about the power of invention.

posted by oh yeah! (8 comments total)

This was really sweet - great musical numbers (gotta love a song with the chorus "The square root of impossible is me!"), gorgeous costume & hair design. I hope this gets some 'Fathom Events' seasonal theatrical showings next Christmas.
posted by oh yeah! at 2:16 PM on November 14, 2020

Yay Netflix Christmas romcom season is among us!
posted by Literaryhero at 7:35 PM on November 14, 2020

We previewed this before showing it to my young kids and it was delightful, if a bit overlong. The musical numbers were fun, the bad guy was cartoony enough to not be really scary, and the main character was sweet and funny and determined. Most of it didn't feel especially Christmassy, but I'll happily watch it again!
posted by SeedStitch at 11:35 AM on November 20, 2020

if a bit overlong

Yeah, I think they could have trimmed it a little bit in places -- the snowball fight for sure. I mean, I'm not sure how I was meant to feel about the ending of that scene; maybe if they hadn't cast the snowball-ed policeman as a white guy it would have been funny, but instead it kind of took me out of the moment and into thoughts of our current state of police brutality.
posted by oh yeah! at 5:13 PM on November 20, 2020 [1 favorite]

We got a new tv today for some ridiculous reason and it’s got a very nice picture-OLED?-this was a fabulous first thing to watch on it. We loved it all-the cast, the music, the visual design.
posted by purenitrous at 9:25 PM on November 20, 2020

Finally had the time to catch this and it was delightful!
posted by cendawanita at 10:31 AM on November 21, 2020

I agree that this could have been shorter - seriously*, movies should be legally required have to make a 90 minutes or less cut, and then they can still have a longer director's cut for the masochists. But, that aside, this was very cute.

I loved the period costumes and the cute snowy village and the silly inventions and the Black joy! Some of the songs were better than others, but that is kind of ideal for me in a holiday film - I'm going to be doing other things, can't be focused on every scene. Will definitely add this to the holiday film rotation.

*This suggestion is no way actually serious.
posted by the primroses were over at 10:31 AM on November 29, 2020

Loved the visuals and the colors. Loved the songs. Journey is great. Looks gorgeous. Not sure how the magitek is going there, but what the hell.

Kinda thought the adults were... a bit questionable? Like what the HELL was with Ms. Johnston? Am I supposed to root for her and Jeronicus to get together when she forcibly insists on calling him by a nickname he doesn't like and is blatantly forcing herself upon him? SO UNCOMFORTABLE.

Hey dude, don't let a tiny magic toy slap you around. MULTIPLE TIMES. Shame on you for allowing that! Really, the villain of this is a weird tiny magic toy?!
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:05 PM on December 21, 2020