Although the title of the film was one of those cute but very corny titles and the premise did sound like very familiar ground, part of me was still intrigued into seeing 'Christmas Incorporated'. Due to liking enough of Hallmark's Christmas efforts, which in terms of overall quality when it comes to their overall output is a very mixed bag. Also have seen Steve Lund in other things and he strikes me as not being bad at all as an actor and tending to be one of the better aspects of what he stars or features in.
'Christmas Incorporated' is not one of the best Hallmark Christmas, with there being too many big flaws. It is also not one of the worst, as it does have some quite big good things too. Ranking it, 'Christmas Incorporated' is somewhere around low middle and one of those films that is like what the title and plot synopsis indicate. Not terrible by any stretch, better than what has been indicated by some here despite sharing some of their criticisms, but nothing special really at all.
It looks quite good, very nicely photographed with not too drab a look. There are some sweet, mildly amusing and light-hearted moments here and there, as well as some nice parts in the music.
Lund is a likeable leading man, the character does not sound pleasant at all on paper at first but the character is actually easier to endear than the main character which is saying a lot. The other cast standout is Hannah Spear, a delight in a relatably amusing and resourceful sort of role. Jane Moffat was also quite good.
Was a bit mixed though on Shenae Grimes-Beech, who gets better as the film progresses and has more charm and subtlety. But to begin with her over-eagerness felt very over-played and it was a bit annoying, actually found Riley a character that took time to warm to. She could have had more chemistry with Lund, which wasn't non-existent but could have done with more spark. The locations can be limited and quite cheap, was expecting the toy factory to have more wonder. The music has moments but like too many Hallmark festive films it can be too over-scored and intrusive.
The script can be very awkward and cheesy, with its fair share of mush, and the direction is workmanlike but lacks urgency so the film can feel dull. The premise was a familiar-ground one, given very by-the-numbers and formulaic (to the extent that everything is telegraphed very obviously too early) execution. It could have done with a lot more charm, heart and the Christmas spirit is missing. The supporting turns are variable, good with Spear and Moffat but forgettable at best with the others, while the characters are the kind that don't grate as such generally but don't have enough distinction.
Concluding, okay but not much more than that. 4/10
