KIWI CHRISTMAS

(PG, 90mins) Directed by Tony Simpson Reviewed by James Croot

Akind of a hybrid of Santa Clause: The Movie, The Santa Clause and Raymond Briggs’ much-loved book Father Christmas Goes on Holiday, this local festive family film begins with Santa (Finnish actor Kari Vaananen) feeling somewhat jaded.

Disillusioned by his impersonators and increasingly impolite and demanding children, he decides a quick jaunt to a faraway spot might cure his melancholy.

However a rogue firework sees him crash land off the coast of the North Island.

Discovered in a less than ideal state by 8-year-old Sam (Samuel Clark) and 12-year-old Molly (Luca Andrews), on a somewhat strained camping holiday with their recently separated parents, Santa also runs foul of the local Coastal Security team (led by Laura Daniel’s officious Grizzelda Carlton) who want a word with him about his illegal arrival and import of potentially dangerous goods.

Like another 2017 Kiwi comedy, this features a host of recognisable faces off the telly ( Westside’s Xavier Horan and Will Hall, Step Dave’s Sia Trokenheim) and plenty of fish-out-of-water gags. Thankfully though, Kiwi Christmas is actually consistently funny.

The impressive writing trio of Tony Simpson, Andrew Gunn and Dave Armstrong have delivered a rare 21st century effort that evokes the memory of the great kidult dramedies ( The Mad Dog Gang, The Firestarter) we used to be famous for.