Candy Cane Lane Review

Plot

Eddie Murphy stars as Chris Carver, a resident of the Candy Cane Lane neighborhood, who enters the annual Christmas decoration contest. When he makes an agreement with the elf named Pepper, chaos ensues as the 12 Days of Christmas are brought to life. Now, Chris and his family must break the elf's spell to restore order to their neighborhood.

Acting

Eddie Murphy delivers a strictly average performance as Chris Carver. Tracee Ellis Ross injects some spirit into her portrayal of Chris's wife Carol, but is hindered by not so good storytelling. Jillian Bell relies heavily on exaggerated facial expressions as Pepper, which becomes annoying over time. The standout performances come from the characters of Pip, Cordelia, and Gary who did complete justice to their parts.

Cinematography

The cinematography by Newton Thomas Sigel, while visually appealing in some scenes, falls short overall. The film often feels artificial, with even simple shots lacking authenticity. The excessive use of green screens detracts from the overall quality of the visuals.

Direction

Director Reginald Hudlin fails to capture the magic and charm expected from a Christmas comedy. The storytelling lacks coherence and respect for the viewers' intelligence. The plot feels tedious and exasperating, relying on bad jokes and uninteresting scenarios. The film's attempt to incorporate the Twelve Days of Christmas as a challenge for the family falls flat.

Conclusion

Candy Cane Lane disappoints as a Christmas comedy, lacking laughs and a charismatic performance from Eddie Murphy. The film's poor jokes, excessive theatricality, and lack of relatable conflicts hinder its potential enjoyment. While the festive backdrop and message of familial unity shine through, they are not enough to salvage the overall subpar viewing experience. Candy Cane Lane fails to meet the low bar set by the genre and is likely to only appeal to devoted Eddie Murphy fans.