DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW (2023) REVIEW

 

'Tis the season for movies that either warm your heart or leave you scratching your head, and Tim Story’s “Dashing Through the Snow” falls squarely in the latter category. Picture this: instead of coal in your stocking, you get a head of cauliflower, all thanks to global warming. And just when you thought you knew the rules, this film tosses them out the window like last year’s fruitcake.

The movie centers at Eddie (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges), a social worker with a heart of gold, but a holiday spirit as frosty as the North Pole. Blame it on a childhood letdown involving a mall Santa and his parents’ divorce. Now, he's trying to keep the yuletide cheer alive for his daughter Charlotte (Madison Skye Validum), while also juggling some icy vibes with his wife, Allison (Teyonah Parris). But hold onto your mistletoe, because things take a magical turn when a stranger named Nick (Lil Rel Howery) shows up, running from a crooked politician (Oscar Nuñez) and his merry band of troublemakers.

While movies about kids saving Santa have been around since the days of black-and-white TV, “Dashing Through the Snow” puts a modern spin on the classic tale. But instead of heartwarming moments, get ready for a sleigh ride of slapstick comedy and quirky details that'll leave you in stitches, yes I said it. Picture Santa’s farts smelling like cinnamon, a family of Santa groupies who always know his whereabouts, and a whole workshop of Santas in steampunk gear reenacting “The 12 Days of Christmas” at their holiday bash. Don’t ask me to explain it, just grab the popcorn and go with it.

Director Tim Story and writer Scott Rosenberg throw everything at the screen faster than you can say "ho, ho, ho." With a cast of characters as crowded as a mall on Christmas Eve, it’s a wild ride from start to finish. While Ludacris seems like he's checking his watch, Lil Rel Howery steals the show with his infectious energy, matched only by the young dynamo, Validum. Parris gets sidelined a bit, but Nuñez chews up the scenery as the baddie with a twirly mustache.

One thing “Dashing Through the Snow” gets right is casting Howery as a Black Santa, adding some much-needed spice to the North Pole. And don’t miss the nod to diversity with Santas of all backgrounds, giving a festive middle finger to the naysayers who still think Santa can only be one color. 

So, grab your hot cocoa and settle in for a holiday romp that's more nutty than nice. “Dashing Through the Snow” may not be the next Christmas classic, but it’s definitely worth a watch if you’re in the mood for some ho-ho-hilarity.