User reviews

Review Date 7/12/2019

I have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films Christmas Television show episodes and Television Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films. I am on a mission to watch every Christmas Movie ever made. Since 2014 I average 100 a year.

The story i this one is To get a promotion, Hayley, an advertising executive who specializes in social media, must land a toy company that is all about traditional Christmas as an account. .. She is sent to Christmas Camp (By Her Boss) to re-learn about the Christmas season.

Now what is great about this film was that the women here are not backstabbers. It was a relief I thought somehow Hayley was going to have to prove some idea was hers and the people at the camp were going to save her. Happily this was not the case. The women here support each other and that was great surprise.

Nothing mind blowing here, but a nice little film. The actors are pretty good (the lead male bears more than a passing resemblance to Edward Norton), although I'm not sure I really buy Haley as being get-ahead work focused as she's meant to be. She's sent to Christmas Camp for work, so of course she'll answer some phone calls and send emails! That said, I am glad that this is a Hallmark film where even though the action is mostly in a small town the big city careers aren't denigrated. Apparently you are allowed to have the Christmas spirit and also want to get ahead at work - as long as you remember what's important in life.

I watched this movie in July, and totally enjoyed it. The plot was a bit strange, who knows, maybe if more low level executives were sent to a Christmas camp companies might be better off. Was looking for a repeat showing in the fall 24/7 schedule, not seen a repeat as of yet.

This was an alright movie. I picked it to add to my Christmas movie challenge and I enjoyed it. It was a nice feel good movie.

This now helps to take my christmas movies to 11 out of 100.

Will I watch this again? Yeah maybe.

My Christmas film viewings over-time have been a very mixed bag. With some surprisingly good hits, where regardless of how predictable they are succeed in being full of charm, warmth and heart so succeeding in being light-hearted and undemanding fun. But also some quite big misses, where the characters are not likeable, everything is forced and shallow with implausibility too in some of the worst cases, the acting and writing being weak and basically with just nothing to them.

'Christmas Camp' is not one of the worst Christmas films recently seen, a long way from being that. It is also though nowhere near being one of the best, and is closer to being in the lesser category. Is 'Christmas Camp' terrible? No, it didn't insult my intelligence, was well intended and it had its moments. At the same time, it is really not particularly good at all with many things wrong with it. Things that even when taking it for what it is and taking into account the target audience are very difficult to overlook.

It is not all bad. Bobby Campo does a great job and not only looks as though he was committing to his role but also that he understood it.

Also did think that the scenery was beautiful and complemented slickly by the photography, regardless of the lack of authenticity, And that the music had pleasant moments.

Too many things let 'Christmas Camp' down however. Lilly Anne Harrison is incredibly stiff and one note with no romantic chemistry or any real connection with the rest of the cast. The rest of the cast pretty much walk through their cliched roles, though some have very little to work with. Didn't find the characters interesting or easy to like or relate to while a lot of the lot of the writing is cheesy and awkward.

Furthermore, the story is excessively predictable, with an old hat premise already done to death having no variation. As well as very bland, the charm and heart are not there and it could have done with more light hearted playfulness, less schmaltz and a tighter pace that would have made it less over serious. The direction is rather routine and the ending too neat.

Concluding, weak though not terrible. 3/10.

I didn't care for this movie. I did other things while watching it, and it never prompted me to get my full attention. The lead actress was pretty bland, and the movie looked like a low budget compared even to other Hallmark's productions. It just kind of went by, and, soon, I'll completely forget about it. The idea of a Christmas camp was original, but it also struck me as ludicrous. There are much better holiday flicks than this, yet you won't scratch your eyes out if you watch it.

Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to all you movie aficionados. Here are my considerations and recommendation for Christmas Makeover, AKA Christmas Camp.

Story: 1.00/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.25/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.00/2

Total 5.50/10

The Christmas Makeover in the title refers to the people visiting Christmas Camp, not a makeover of the camp itself. In which case, I don't understand why they didn't go with the more precise Christmas Camp title. So, Haley, an ad executive, needs to get a handle on the Christmas Spirit so her company can land a Toy Company as a client. Luckily, there's a boot camp that offers such an experience - yeah, I know, only in Uncle Sam Land: You know when he takes off that top hat, there's a Santa cap underneath. But this camp offers more than mere physical Christmas ideas. It delves into the family aspect and relationship side of Christmas. And luckier still, there's a single handsome man at the camp so the single beautiful advertising exec can experience that teaching too. Of course, we all know where this story is going, so it's all about the journey to get there. Fortunately for us, the writer adds extra drama via the other customers who visit the Chrimbo Guru and the threat of the camp's closure. These details are enough to keep us engaged and watching the screen, which is good as the writer doesn't give us anything too spectacular in the romance stakes. Haley and Jeff are star-crossed lovers, but with little pizzazz. And though Lily Harrison and Bobby Campo deliver decent performances, their chemistry is a tad weak, which makes their relationship a little impotent.

In all honesty, the supporting cast is better in their portrayals than the leads, and fortuitously, carries the picture to its finale. And the direction also appears to be at odds. The cinematography is a hit-and-miss affair. We receive some nice heart-warming scenes like the snow angels and then some dire sections like the snowball pitching. At least they keep the flow at a pleasant pace, which works brilliantly to show the romance and other relationships growing and forming.

Christmas Makeover or Camp is an okay Xmas film. Sadly, its averageness and lack of freshness force me to recommend it for only one viewing, and only if you've exhausted your Chrimbo watchlist. The only way I'll watch this film again would be if I forgot I'd already seen it, which is highly probable.

Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.

Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.

This has got to be one of the blandest productions Hallmark has shown. The lead actress was about as convincing as a cup of warm cocoa. The Inn was generic, the other actors walked through the production & the ending was as predictable as the fake snow.

There are lots of the usual themes here. It starts out with competition for a promotion. The boss sends Haley to Christmas camp to learn about traditional Christmases. So this leads into all the usual stuff in a Christmas movie. Snow angels. Cookies. Tree decoration. Snow ball fight. Helping out at a charity. Angel tree. There was an interesting little twist on "It's a date" where instead of saying that it's not, Haley just freezes.

Haley is basically optimistic and upbeat but she is also obsessed with the promotion. Lily Anne Harrison fits the role but her acting is just OK. She and Bobby Campo have chemistry.

The acting is fair. The dialogue is mediocre. The sets are extremely cheap. It looks like the whole thing was done inside and out of somebody's large house.

The conflict is telegraphed and too much ado about really nothing.

All in all this movie is decent but no great highs or lows.

Bobby Campo is a plus in any Hallmark movie. Unfortunately, he was teamed opposite a blah actress. Story had potential, but missed the mark. Horrible interior sets do not set the mood for the movie. Better luck next time, Hallmark.

Such a heartwarming movie. I live in a big city, and too often we are oblivious to the beauty contained in "less." It's always a great reminder to unplug, unwind, and really connect with people who are important to you. 'Christmas Camp' looked like places that many of my friends from high school enjoy visiting today (I've seen on FB), or even places I visited growing up, and I've never understood the appeal (especially now that I've gotten older)... but now I understand why: It's not about the "things" ... it's about the "experience" and the "people." It's about TRUE connection. I'm thankful that I have so many wonderful people around me that constantly remind me of 'home' in their own unique and special ways.

I can't help but thinking that this movie was the last on the list as far as budget went. I couldn't pinpoint if it was bad screenwriting, bad directing or bad acting or a combination of Bad. The sterile atmosphere inside the Inn looked as though someone took a box of assorted mismatched Christmas decorations and threw them in any available space. Hallmark makes many good movies every year and there has to be a stinker every so often. I hope they meet their quota with this one.

Really quite a beige film. There's nothing very special about it at all and the leads are not of interest at all.

The lead male is like James/Dave Franco's long lost brother. He has something handsome about him, but also something that's a bit creepy too. But the lead female is just a bit bimbo like - Somewhat Legally Blonde at Christmas. I prefer the characters to be a bit more sensible, so you can actually see why they fancy each other.

It's nice enough, but doesn't have a POW!

Which had so much potential, but was let down by some really bad acting. I'm hoping that Lily Harrison has returned to drama school because endlessly grinning doesn't cut the mustard in a movie, and 'acting' is a necessity. She had no idea what to do, and her performance was stiff and rigid as a result. Bobby Campo clearly has more experience and it showed. It might have helped if there was a glimmer of 'chemistry', but sadly there wasn't. The supporting cast did their best, with the usual Hallmark kids getting the usual Hallmark script, making them sound older than their years. The dog was the best actor !

The father Ben - John James, had a face that I couldn't quite place, then I Googled, and WOW ! For those old enough to remember, he was the disgustingly handsome Jeff Colby in Dynasty and The Colby's back in the 80s !!!

I loved loved this movie! Such a fun storyline and overall a fantastic movie!

Great holiday movie! The characters are believable and the town is charming! The settings are wonderful, including the great snow ball fight. This movie is perfect for the whole family and brings Christmas spirit into your living room. I highly recommend watching this movie with a cup of hot cocoa, and then pull out your Christmas ornaments! Directing was perfect, providing excellent transitions! Great Job Hallmark!

I love the idea of Christmas in July! I stumbled upon this movie last Thursday night and ABSOLUTELY loved it!! It inspired me to have a Christmas Party in July, and I will be streaming the Christmas Camp movie during my party next week! Thank you Hallmark ~ keep making these movies, the world needs them!

This movie is a heartwarming story of love, friendship and the magic of my favorite holiday, Christmas, which now I love even more. Actors were great and I loved Max, the wonder dog!! The movie puts the spirit of Christmas back in your heart and makes you rethink your priorities. An A+ film for the whole family! Love it!

A joyous holiday movie. It was great to see Joh James acting again. Bobby Campo is on of my favorites. A great debut job by Lily Anne Harrison. This movie had heart and inspiration a lesson we all need. Good job Hallmark.

I found this movie quite enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the lead actors. But I was shocked by the interior of the Christmas camp house. I've seen sheds on the hallmark channel decorated better than this for the holidays. Perhaps there was a rush to have this air in July.

This movie really got me in the holiday spirit. The countdow to Christmas has begun and Christmas Camp is the reason. Highly recommend!!

Sweet story. Tough to make a Christmas movie seem fresh, especially in July! Great job on pulling this off!

If you love Christmas you will love this adorable movie about Christmas Camp. Loved it James Welch Henderson Arkansas. 12/3/2020

I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised at this charming movie! The actors were totally appealing and the supporting characters were funny and well written. I loved the overall story and the chemistry between the two leads. This is a great movie for the entire family. I wish Hallmark made more films like this. Really put me in the holiday spirit - even in July!