Put that cookie down, now! Oh, you weren't eating a cookie. My apologies.
When 'Jingle All The Way', came out in 1996, it was met with, shall we say, hostile responses. I used to love it as a child, but when I realised it was pretty much despised, I put it down to my critical facilities not developing properly, and that it probably was shite.
Cut to Christmas 2012, and I sat in the Prince Charles Cinema in London (a highly recommended venue for the film geek in us all) with an almost full cinema, waiting to watch 'Jingle'. And it was one of the most fun film screenings I've ever sat through. People were laughing at all the right (and some of the wrong places), we all quoted the now famous 'Cookie' line. And someone even shouted 'Bring on Jake Lloyd' as the credits started (it's a Star Wars joke, look it up).
There are several reasons 'Jingle' works. Of course, the main one is the Austrian Oak himself. Oh, Arnie. Some people no doubt criticised the film at the time for the fact that Schwarzenegger really isn't the family friendly, slapstick comedy type. But since then it's come in for some ironic reassessment. His delivery is unique and somewhat awkward, but it's Arnie, and he makes this film what it is. Whatever that may be. Jake Lloyd is terrible, there's no two ways about it. In one scene, he answers the phone "Hey Dad, I knew you'd call!" in a way so precocious it made me consider getting the snip. And apparently he was to be Darth Vader. George Lucas, for shame. But Phil Hartman is brilliant as the sleazy neighbour ("you can't benchpress your way out of this one") and although American comedian Sinbad is annoying, he's perfect for the role in that way.
Plus some of the gags really make me smile. Arnie beating up a room full of Santas is joyous. As is him knocking out a Reindeer (funnier than it sounds. Actually no it's not). The last 10 minutes are nuts and make no sense (why does no one recognise Arnie's voice? Or his pecs?), but come on, it's Arnie on a jetpack! And that is surely what Christmas should be all about.
Also just to say, the plot of a man trying to get a sold out toy at Christmas is clearly based on the true events of what happened with Buzz Lightyear. Just to say, I got Buzz. Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Sucks if you didn't!
Today's blog is bought to you by insult - shitbox.
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