Movie Plot – Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey: An imaginary world comes to life in a extraordinary story of an eccentric toy maker. However, he lost his passion and magic thinking due to unfortunate events. Now, his adventurous grand daughter is trying to make a change about that.
Director: David E. Talbert
Writer: David E. Talbert
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Madalen Mills
Jeronic versus Gustafson
In this magical Christmas story we follow the wonderful toy maker Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) who invents the most amazing things in the authentic town of Cobbleton. On top of that, he had once the most beautiful toy store in the country. He invented the most extraordinary toy and was about to finish his best invention ever. But then he was betrayed by his student Gustafson (Keegan-Michael Key). This villain stole Jeronicus’ latest invention and his book full of ideas. The inventor suffered numerous setbacks while Gustafson built up his own toy empire.
When it turns out that his trusted pupil Gustafson is behind it, it’s up to Jeronicus’ clever and innovative granddaughter to help him.
What a great casting choice for those two. Honestly, I wanted to watch this one for Keagan-Michael Key, as I haven’t seen him in many films. On the other hand, Forest Whitaker has been part of many films lately. And he’s on a roll.
Keagan-Michael Key as Gustafson looks amazing! It’s like this role was written for him. Well, that could also be the case, but I don’t know that. Same thing goes for Whitaker. I loved how he looked with his hair all messy but in a magical Christmas way.
A Magical Musical
Netflix has more than 10 Christmas movies planned, of which this great musical film is one. So pay attention: if you don’t like singing and dancing in movies? Then you can skip this film. Even Oscar winner Forest Whitaker shakes his hips loose in a swirling and massive snowball scene.
The choreography are amazing and pretty fast. Believe me, I’m a dancer myself. I love how the dancing, singing and the environment all feels very warm. It’s truly a magical movie.
There are large and rich sets with lots of special effects and beautiful costumes. There is also a very nice supporting role of bad guy Don Juan Diego (with the voice of singer Ricky Martin).
The story has all the elements you expect from a magical Christmas adventure. There are toys, a villain, smart kids, a grumpy old man, a timeless village and lots of snow. Director and writer David E. Talbert didn’t want to reinvent the wheel, but wanted to make a fairy tale film that his children could enjoy. He succeeded with flying colors.
For the entire family
Years later, the toy store has become a pawnshop and Jeronicus threatens to lose this building as well. He must quickly come up with a new invention, but has lost his magical touch. Fortunately, he gets help from an unexpected corner. His granddaughter Journey is suddenly at the door and she is just as much a genius as Jeronicus. But she can only help the cynical toy maker if he allows it.
Now, Jingle Jangle has fortunately not become a children’s film. It is a film for the whole family. Whether you’re 5 years old or 60, this is a movie you can dream away from. The humor is innocent, but funny and the villains are cartoonish, but never childish. A real Christmas movie that everyone can enjoy! Also, not the fantasical songs are written by John Legend.
I have to say, as wonderful as this film looked, I thought it was a bit too long. Personally, it was a little too much singing and dancing. Especially in the beginning of the film. Had the film been about fifteen minutes shorter, it would have been better. Of course this is about my experience. Maybe you won’t have enough of it.
Conclusion
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a clear ode to the magical Christmas movies, but is more than just a tribute. The film has a face of its own. It’s a sparkling fairy tale for young and old, without adult jokes that the kids don’t understand. This kind of Christmas movies are hardly ever made anymore and that makes Jingle Jangle a very nice Christmas present.
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