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Ghost Canyon

8-Bit Christmas [DVD]
(Neil Patrick Harris, Steve Zahn, Winslow Fegley, June Diane Raphael, David Cross, et al / DVD / PG / 2022 / Warner Bros.)

Overview: A humorous and heartfelt look back at the adventures of childhood starring Neil Patrick Harris (A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Matrix Resurrections, The Smurfs films).

Set in suburban Chicago in the late 1980s, the story centers on ten‐year‐old Jake Doyle’s herculean quest to get the latest and greatest video game system for Christmas.

DVD Verdict: Admittedly, as it’s getting one step closer to that special time of year every day, and even though we are only still in early October, watching a film like 8-Bit Christmas now might seem like outright sacrilege to some people but for me, well, it got me wishing and hoping for the snow to come-a-falling!

Having now watched it twice (yes, you heard me right, twice in three days), I can honestly attest that the movie is genuinely heartfelt and was highly entertaining from start to finish.

Whilst his daughter campaigns for her own phone for Christmas, Jake Doyle (Neil Patrick Harris) recounts the story of how he got his prized Christmas present back in the 80’s, his Nintendo Entertainment System.

As a child, Jake (Winslow Fegley) was one of a number of kids that flocked to the house of the only boy in town that had one. Deciding that he must get his own, Jake embarks on a number of schemes to try and secure one, in time for the big day.

Happily, for a film with a large cast of child actors, I didn’t find any of their performances particularly off putting. Especially not the lead, Winslow Fegley, who keeps his put-upon character on the right side of whiny, to keep the audience on side. The principle adult performers, June Diane Raphael, Steve Zahn and Neil Patrick Harris are all good too and there’s also a cameo from the always-funny David Cross.

The story line itself is nothing overly special and doesn’t take too many straying liberties within its overall message, which to me was a good thing, because, essentially, it is a group of shorter stories, each revolving around a particular scheme to get access to a Nintendo that are thwarted as we head towards a typically (for the season) heart-warming finale.

There are also some funny, and indeed curiously creative fantasy elements at play here, but be warned (although I use that word extremely lightly), for the odd moment of mild, shall we say, gross out comedy, which includes one instance where I instantly thought might be unforgivable should it play out, but fortunately the film then backs swiftly away from it (you’ll know the scene when you see it), so it never thankfully meanders from being a very family friendly experience.

That all said, and with me being the old cynic I have always been, the fact that you hear the words Nintendo and Cabbage Patch dolls more than Merry Christmas just makes me wonder what the real purpose of the movie was!

Anyhoo, narrated to silky perfection by Neil Patrick Harris (as well as starring in, of course), Steve Zahn and June Diane Raphael are also really great here, their chemistry is awesome and they feel just like the mother and Old Man Parker from A Christmas Story, for they stole the scenes and were just hilarious!

The ending was surprisingly sad and incredibly endearing and it teaches you that some of the best things in life aren’t things, they’re friendships and memories, among other things. Oh, and another great thing about this movie is that you don’t have to be a child of the 80’s to enjoy it, since it perfectly captures the essence of that time in a modern movie.

Special Features:
1. 8-Bit Miracles Making-of Featurette
2. Character Series
1. Adult Jake Doyle
2. Young Jake Doyle
3. Mikey Trotter
4. Hodges Twins
5. Evan Olsen
6. Jeff Farmer

Official Trailer

www.WarnerBros.com





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