"Ernest Saves Christmas" is one of the films in the seemingly endless line of "Ernest" flicks with Jim Varney. I've had the (un)-pleasurable experience of sitting through "Ernest Goes to Camp," "Ernest Scared Stupid," "Ernest Saves Christmas," and perhaps some others that I don't remember. (There are about one hundred "Ernest" films, aren't there?)
In this film, Ernest has to save Santa Claus by delivering toys and searching for a successor (?). I haven't seen this film for about three years, so I'm a bit rusty on the plot.
One thing the "Ernest" films do have is a good sense of unrealistic playfulness. Its audience is children, and Jim Varney seems to play right to this. Varney (who passed away in 2001 due to a long fight with cancer) was a good comedian. He didn't spin crude gags. He seemed to stick to childrens' films ("Toy Story," "Atlantis"--his last film), and when he did try an adult film once it turned out to be one of the worst comedies ever. (It's called "Snow Academy"--no, it's not a sequel to "Police Academy.")
I actually found myself (despite the film being utterly ridiculous and stupid in any and every way) enjoying "Ernest Saves Christmas," because while it is a bit odd, it targets the jokes to its audience well, and I think adults can enjoy the films just because they are reminiscent of childhood.
Unfortunately, I just can't muster up enough to give this movie a high rating. Instead, I'll give it two and a half stars (average) and tell you that if you have kids, you should definitely get them to watch the "Ernest" films. If you don't, I'd recommend you stay away from the films. (Unless, that is, if you like childrens' films.)
2.5/5 stars -
John Ulmer
In this film, Ernest has to save Santa Claus by delivering toys and searching for a successor (?). I haven't seen this film for about three years, so I'm a bit rusty on the plot.
One thing the "Ernest" films do have is a good sense of unrealistic playfulness. Its audience is children, and Jim Varney seems to play right to this. Varney (who passed away in 2001 due to a long fight with cancer) was a good comedian. He didn't spin crude gags. He seemed to stick to childrens' films ("Toy Story," "Atlantis"--his last film), and when he did try an adult film once it turned out to be one of the worst comedies ever. (It's called "Snow Academy"--no, it's not a sequel to "Police Academy.")
I actually found myself (despite the film being utterly ridiculous and stupid in any and every way) enjoying "Ernest Saves Christmas," because while it is a bit odd, it targets the jokes to its audience well, and I think adults can enjoy the films just because they are reminiscent of childhood.
Unfortunately, I just can't muster up enough to give this movie a high rating. Instead, I'll give it two and a half stars (average) and tell you that if you have kids, you should definitely get them to watch the "Ernest" films. If you don't, I'd recommend you stay away from the films. (Unless, that is, if you like childrens' films.)
2.5/5 stars -
John Ulmer