Disney’s Bright-Spirited Holiday Film “Noelle” Earns Its Place As An Instant Christmas Classic [REVIEW]

“Noelle” brings us a fresh, unique taste to the Christmas movie industry that we all have been so desperately craving. From the fascinating plot to the last effects the film leaves on viewers, this finally feels like we got a true modern Christmas movie that means something.

Fresh from Walt Disney Pictures, “Noelle” was introduced to the world on Disney’s streaming service Disney+. It’s a completely original production, which can always get dicey with Christmas movies, but Disney took that chance. While it is something they have achieved decently in the past, the world of modern Christmas movies is a place that’s hard to truly get in to and actually leave your mark.

Disney managed to do it with a presentably simple plot and two amazing comedic actors, Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader. The film felt tailored to their whimsical comedy both easily extrude. Everything felt natural with it.

If you are looking for a lighthearted, family fun movie for when the children are off for winter break, this movie will surely suffice.

“Noelle” follows the lives of Noelle (Anna Kendrick), the daughter of Santa Claus (real name: Kris Kringle), and her brother Nick (Bill Hader) after their father passes away. In this universe, the role of Santa Claus is passed down to the Santa’s son. It’s a monarchy on the North Pole (who would’ve thought!) — Santa is the “king” with a parliament of elves that help to run the village.

Things start going south after Nick begins his training as the next Santa Claus. He’s a clumsy one, to put it gently. There are skills and habits that he needs to be Santa Claus that he just does not possess. Noelle, being the kind hearted one she is, steps in to help out her brother. She begins training him, but when Nick expresses his worries and stress to her, Noelle suggests he takes some time off.

This inspires the soon-to-be Santa Claus to flee to Phoenix, Arizona for a vacation of sorts. Feeling responsible and being shunned from her village for encouraging Nick to take time for himself, Noelle embarks on a journey to Arizona in order to hunt down Nick. From there she enlists the help of a private investigator whom she ends up re-inspiring Christmas in. Throughout the film, an obvious plot twist will be coming in at the end, but that’s for you to go discover yourself.

There is a b-plot found within the film where one of the Kringle cousins is the next “heir” to the Santa Claus throne and he decides he wants to make the entire delivery system and children ranking (naughty or nice) electronic. This sends even more chaos to an already panicking North Pole.

As far as modern Christmas films go, this one has to be the freshest take. Watching it for the first time is like experiencing “The Polar Express” all over again. It has that whimsical, child-like Christmas joy.

The usual Christmas tropes are of course felt throughout the film. I mean, for a good couple of minutes you assume this is going to turn out like some Hallmark holiday movie. The blaring trope of “girl who is obsessed with Christmas meets a single dad who works too much and now thinks Christmas is not important because he is an adult are going to fall in love” literally just flies off the screen, but you end up being in for a treat. No matter how much they tease that possible plotline, it never takes off.

The movie totally sidesteps the ridiculous Christmas clichés we have become accustomed to, and it ends up working out so well.

There is one line it does borrow from other films and that is the underlying plot about how Christmas is so much more than just present. Noelle is very obsessed with presents and constantly claims it is the best part of Christmas. However, on her journey, we see her discover other aspects of Christmas, like giving back to others.

Similar to the family themes we, arguably, witnessed in films like “Elf” and “The Santa Clause”, this film takes it but pretty much reinvents it. Noelle begins to cherish Christmas for more than just the material items.

Like the previous films mentioned, Noelle’s character development takes center stage for this movie, but without being so obvious until closer to the end. The production of it is such a funny thing. You almost think you know where the film is going, but then the vibes from the characters almost assures you this is not going to be that kind of film.

Even with just a similar start to “Elf”, running away from the North Pole and ending up in America on a wild adventure, you kind of think it is just a light-hearted road trip Christmas movie.

When looking at the plot overall, I find it to really stand out among the absolute classics. Of course, we see the concept of Santa Claus played around with, the idea of Santa’s real family coming in is such a fun thing. It really adds more to the legend of Santa Claus and kind of interesting to just imagine. The plot gets your child-like imagination running with everything it introduces. From the parliament of elves to the North Pole being a monarchy.

The whole world building within the plot is something so unique for this film. Even just the part where the North Pole café only sells hot chocolate or the fact the village newspaper is called “The Daily Carol.” There’s even a scene where Noelle tries to use her “Kringle Family” discount and the cashier gives a run-down of the rules, one being that it cannot be used by cousins. The royal family of the North Pole getting discounts is just a great device to show how important these characters and world really is to them.

With the plot, we get the obvious theme that I think a lot of Christmas movies sometimes try too hard to convey. The whole idea is really about breaking standards. This comes in more ways than one, but I will be avoiding discussing one of the ways so that no spoilers are revealed. Essentially, at its core, this is all about how Christmas is made up of so many things. It isn’t just about gifts or candy canes. It really comes down to spreading joy with others and recognizing what sort of privileges you have. This goes into not just the holiday time, but in general.

For example, one of the stops Noelle makes when looking for her brother is at a homeless shelter. There she meets a deaf girl (who, I have learned, is actually a deaf actress, so nice job, Disney) and her mother. Her mother is out of work which landed them in the shelter. The little girl’s only Christmas wish is for her mother to find a job.

This theme of people’s Christmas wishes being outside of actual material things comes up a few times with Noelle and she really takes it to heart. She starts to see what fortunes she has and begins to plot how she can give back to others. Such serious topics like this within a family movie really is incredible to see. I believe it really is something that is lacking in other modern Christmas films out there. It stems outside of any holiday romance cliché and even just twists the family tropes enough to make it stand out among the crowd.

Truly, in general, this movie is seriously worth the stream. It gives you so much more than you think you are really instore for. I would recommend getting some popcorn and the entire family on the couch so everyone can experience this little Christmas joy and uniqueness this holiday season.