Sorry, I'm gonna be the Grinch on this one. I put off watching this one for years mostly because I grew up watching the original every year with my family. It was always my mom's favorite so, naturally, that pulls a lot of weight for my review of this movie. We were looking for a Christmassy movie to watch with the grand kids the other night so I thought of this one. I was a little hesitant to go with the new one but I thought the kids would like it more. I chose to buy it from Amazon rather than rent it. I will say, first, that my 9 year old granddaughter enjoyed it. I am going to play the original this week and get her opinion on it, also. The movie in my opinion was one of those that had too much dead air time or just some awkward silence. It progressed very slowly and, to me, the acting was forced and a little over the top at times. It loosely followed the original story of a department store Santa that is a little too realistic for some people and was a threat to the competing store and a few hateful people in particular. He befriends the daughter of the head of the "Cole's department store parade", who is a little girl that is supposed to be way above her years. Kris Kringle claims to be the real Santa Claus and the evil department store CEO is determined to prove otherwise. So, naturally, the easiest thing to do is have Kris arrested and thrown in the psych ward at Belleview. He is defended at the commitment hearing by the little girl's mother's boyfriend. I'll let you watch and see how it ends. Sometimes when a movie is being remade, the director has a very difficult time capturing the the feel and the emotion of the original. That is the feel for me on this one. I really think they missed the mark on this wonderful classic. Was it horrible and unwatchable? Not really. But I did find myself getting reminded by my wife that we were all supposed to be watching the movie together, not playing on my phone. If you haven't seen the original, please do. There is a colorized version if you don't like black and white movies but I prefer the B/W for nostalgia sake. But if you do take the time to watch the original, please come back and review it and leave a rebuttal on my review. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Holidays

Miracle on 34th Street is a movie fit for anyone who has become jaded and cynical over the years. It encompasses everything that makes the Christmas season beautiful and fun including the parade after Thanksgiving many look forward to, characters with an overflowing amount Christmas spirit, as well as the incredulous characters that are always present in Christmas movies. The film shares the plot of the 1947 classic, Miracle on 34th Street, however the director, Les Mayfield, incorporates a few differences to fit more modern times. The movie's beginning scenes take place at the Cole's Thanksgiving Day Parade. In the film, Cole's has replaced Macy's on New York's 34th Street. It opens with white-bearded Kriss Kringle scolding an intoxicated man who was hired to portray Santa Claus in the parade. When the drunk makes a complete fool of himself, the Cole's parade director, Dorey Walker, approaches Kriss Kringle and asks that he take on the role of Santa Claus, not only for the parade, but also for Cole's department store. Miracle on 34th Street conveys an important message to every viewer, that there is a hope for skeptics that have lost all hope in magic and miracles. Kriss Kringle is not just a man in a red suit sitting in the middle of a department store, he is a symbol of all that is good about Christmas.The film argues that if people no longer have any faith in Santa Claus and all he represents, then the world has become a sad, hopeless place. Dorey Walker, and her daughter Susan, are non- believers. The mother and daughter are both very practical, and to them, Santa Claus is nothing more than a myth. Susan even says talking to Santa in Cole's is, "a pointless exercise" due to her disbelief. Because of their lack of faith, the Christmas season is extremely bleak for the two of them. Bryan Bedford, a lawyer and the Walkers' neighbor, teams up with Kriss Kringle to teach the Walkers about the spirit of Christmas.One of the most memorable events throughout the whole film occurs when Kriss Kringle is declared insane after allegedly beating another man with his cane. These events tug at your heartstrings, and will have you rooting for Kriss to beat the evil guys. Kringle experiences a trial that would ultimately determine his future. Bryan Bedford fights with Kringle to prove his innocence and his true identity. During this portion of the movie, Bedford calls upon many witnesses, one of them being a child around the age of six. Bedford questions the child of Kringle's authenticity. The young witness, Daniel, then states that he believes Kriss is the one and only Santa Claus. When asked how he can be sure Daniel says, "Cause he looks like Santa Claus. Oh, and he's very nice."Although the plots between the 1947 and the 1994 versions are extremely similar, the director, Les Mayfield, made a significant change in the script in how Bedford chooses to verify Kriss' identity. In the 1947 version, Kriss Kringle is identified through the post office forwarding all of Santa's mail to Kringle's home. However, in the remake, Bedford uses brilliant logic on Kriss' behalf. He utilizes a $1 bill and the phrase "In God We Trust" to validate Kringle's identity. Bedford uses the expression "In God We Trust" to signify that it is socially acceptable to put your faith in something that you can neither see nor physically touch.Casting for 1994's Miracle on 34th Street varies from brilliant to unsatisfying. Richard Attenborough's excellent portrayal of Kriss Kringle recollects Edmund Gwenn's Oscar-winning performance without copying it. Young Mara Wilson performs as a captivating character who grabs hold of your heart and doesn't let go. However, Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott, who portray Dorey Walker and Bryan Bedford, pale in comparison to the 1947 edition's Maureen O'Hara and John Payne ("Internet Movie Database"). Les Mayfield, the director of the 1994 classic, took on an almost impossible challenge when he decided to remake the beloved 1947 film. The original had set standards for every Christmas movie created afterward. This modern update is a charming, compassionate, sweet movie that stays true to the spirit of the original. It captures the true meaning of the Christmas season, and remains an outstanding family feature even today. The movie itself is nostalgic, sweet, and manipulative, which makes it so easy to love.

I haven't yet seen the original Miracle On 34th Street film, so until then I'll focus on Les Mayfield's pristine 1994 update. It's a warmhearted delight of a piece, painted in bold, kindly strokes and starring Richard Attenborough in a wonderful, childlike, good natured yet vulnerable performance as Kris Kringle, and elderly gent living in New York City who is convinced that he is really Father Christmas. Like.. for real. Little Susan Walker (Mara Wilson) believes and befriends him. Wilson was a child actress staple in the 90's, also making adorable impressions in Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire. She's precious here, full of wonder and blooming compassion that's kindled by spirited Kringle. Her mother (Elizabeth Perkins) is in charge of the Macy's Christmas parade and when the drunken Santa she's hired acts a damn fool and is fired, Kringle steps up to the plate. He's a hit, and when word gets out of his belief in himself as the real Santa, controversy stirs, in trademark obnoxious New York fashion. And so a media hooplah leads to a hysterical court case to prove whether Kringle is the real deal. He's defended by compassionate lawyer Dylan McDermott and prosecuted by a smarmy J.T. Walsh, always welcome. There's also work from James Remar as corrupt hoodlum Jack Duff who has a hilarious turn of faith near the end, Robert Prosky as New York's crankiest judg, and appearances from Jennifer Morrison, Jane Leeves, Allison Janney, Mary Mckormack, Jack Mcgee and Joss Ackland. The film comes out a winner thanks to Wilson and especially Attenborough, who plays Kringle with a frank naivety and beaming soul, qualities which everyone hopes and expects to see in Father Christmas, should he really be out there somewhere.

I enjoyed this modern-day remake of the old Christmas classic, but with some reservations. First of all, let me compliment Richard Attenborough's performance as the is-he-or-isn't-he modern-day Santa Claus, even if he plays it with an avowed English accent. He interacts sweetly with the children in the cast in particular and with a twinkle never far away from his eye, gets you rooting for him at the climactic trial scene by the end. He performs no "miracles" per se but still convinces you of his identity with his innocence, charm and sincerity. As for the rest of the cast, I'm not so sure. Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott as the yuppie couple bound to get together, lack warmth and seem just too perfect with their stylish clothes and coiffured hair. Worse, Mara Wilson as the little-miss-know-it-all 6-going-on 60 daughter of Perkins, really could just be a female Macauley Culkin, which was no doubt the aim but still isn't a good thing. There are some nice support turns though, especially Robert Prosky as the humane judge and JT Walsh as the persecuting counsel but they don't quite offset the main leads mentioned above. The seasonal shots of New York are a treat for the eye and with a pleasant Christmas-themed soundtrack too, this is enjoyable seasonal fare, well worth taking a break from gift-wrapping, to enjoy.