While loving Christmas (a lifelong love too) and having liked/loved many Christmas films, there are plenty of Christmas films that are too sappy and cheese ridden as well as predictable. Have seen quite a few films in the past few years with this type of story, which has been familiar territory for most holidays (all holidays not just Christmas) for a while now, and they have varied in success, some are very charming, sweet and engaging while others are too simplistic, dull and silly.
On the most part, 'Wish Upon a Christmas' is in the former category with some elements of the latter. It may not be exceptional or have much special to it, but it is a lot better than the rating suggests in my view and better than a good deal of Christmas films rated higher. Even with a fair share of familiar cliches and such it is better than a lot of Hallmark and Lifetime's quite inconsistent Christmas output. Is 'Wish Upon a Christmas' a great film? No. Is it bad? No, a long way from that.
Am going to start with the good things, as they far outweigh the not so good and the best of them are great. looks attractive enough. The scenery is both rustic and festive and the photography doesn't look rushed or drab. The music doesn't come over as too melodramatic while still having some presence. The direction is suitably sympathetic on the most part while taking a little time to find its feet. The dialogue is not perfect either but the cheese and sentiment don't go overboard and it generally doesn't come over as stilted.
The story is warm-hearted and charming, while it takes itself seriously it doesn't feel over-serious or too heavy and the wish element isn't heavy handed. Larisa Oleynik and Aaron Ashmore are easy going and easy to engage with leads, bringing to life characters that don't come over as too perfect or have flaws exaggerated to the extent that they become bland or annoying. Their chemistry is genuine and moves realistically, even if it is not deep. Most of the supporting cast are fine, with Christie Laing standing out.
Having said that, there is one acting debit and that is Alan Thicke. He underplays his role to the point of phoning in in the dullest of ways and he does sound congested, saw absolutely no point to his character either.
Some of the dialogue early on is corny and awkward and there are a few too many recycled cliches done nothing with.
Concluding, nice film if not exceptional. 7/10
