5 Reasons to Watch A Christmas Story Christmas
- Michelle S. Lazurek Author
- Updated Dec 09, 2022
A Christmas Story Christmas is the sequel to the classic 1983 original movie A Christmas Story. Peter Billingsley, who stars as Ralphie, once had a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. The storyline revolves around him getting this perfect gift and is a perfect encapsulation of every kid who wants a special gift for Christmas. Set in the 1940s, this timeless classic portrays the beauty, and magic Christmas can bring.
Now all grown up and desperate to write the next Great American Novel, Ralphie returns home with his wife and children after his father's death to pay tribute to his father and write his dad's perfect obituary. Struggling to find the words, he visits his old friends Flick and Schwartz at Flick's bar for some liquid inspiration and encouragement from his pals. Feeling like the pressure is on him to provide the best Christmas, he does his best to provide the perfect Christmas gifts for his children. But it's the lessons of thoughtfulness and family that are Ralphie's best gifts he gives his children this year.
This sequel, set in 1973, thirty-three years after the original, will not disappoint fans of the original classic. With brilliant storytelling and parallels to the original and starring the original child cast, this modern-day spin on an old classic proves Hollywood can still create quality Christmas content. Here are five reasons to watch A Christmas Story Christmas:
1. A Perfect Homage to the Dad
Darren McGavin, who played Ralphie's father in the original, passed away in 2006. In any sequel, it is difficult to write a storyline close to the original with the added obstacle of actors who have passed away in real life. Peter Billingsley, who co-directed this film with Vince Vaughn, struck the perfect balance between paying tribute to McGavin's role in the original and the undue pressure Ralphie puts on himself to give equally good Christmases to his own family. In the end, it is McGavin who is there in spirit on Christmas morning when they find he yet again knows the perfect Christmas gift to give his grandkids.
One of the most touching moments is when Ralphie sits in the coveted chair the father is seen sitting in throughout the original and reads his obituary to the family, assuming the head of the house role by sitting at the head of the table for Christmas dinner. One of the final scenes depicts Ralphie looking around at all the neighbors, friends, and family who have joined him for Christmas after reading Ralphie's tribute to his old man in the newspaper. Viewers will particularly love that Ralphie no longer has to imagine what it's like to be adored by his classmates or friends for writing the perfect novel or theme; they are gathered around him for Christmas.
2. It's the Thought That Counts
Although this sentiment is the "stinker that could be smelled a mile away," this movie teaches that it is the thought that counts. We are first introduced to this idea when Ralphie goes home and opens his mother's fridge to find dozens of casseroles brought to her by the neighbors after hearing of the father's passing. But this neighborhood's camaraderie doesn't stop there. The neighbors all come clamoring when they read the man's tribute in the newspaper. All are invited in and welcomed at the Parker's table, which all viewers can adopt this Christmas season. Perhaps this sentiment is driven home the best when the mother discovers Ralphie's dad had bought and wrapped gifts for Ralphie and his family before he died. Ralphie's response, "he knows, he always knows," rings true once again and makes Christmas especially meaningful after Ralphie buys all the kids' gifts at Higbee's, only to find them stolen that evening.
3. Introduction of Great New Cast Members
Melinda Dillon, who played the mother in the original, has retired from acting. Julie Hagerty (of What About Bob? And Airplane! fame) assumes the role and fills Dillon's shoes with ease. If it's not her soft-spoken words of encouragement to Ralphie to "forget the publishers and paragraphs" to her seeming love for wine, fans will be more than satisfied with her performance. Erinn Hayes also joins the cast as Ralphie's wife and does an equally brilliant job of portraying a modern wife who is not afraid to let her husband complete the Christmas tasks while she puts her feet up (literally) and enjoys a glass of wine with her mother-in-law. River Drosche and Adrianna Layne are adorable as Ralphie's kids, who outsmart the neighborhood bully and whose negotiation skills come in handy when Ralphie needs them the most.
4. The Redemption of Scut Farkus
perhaps one of the best elements of the new plot is Ralphie's run-in with Scut Farkus after breaking into Flick's bar to borrow his star tree topper. Ironically, Scott is now a police officer, and Ralphie fears Scut will take the opportunity to get the ultimate revenge on him for beating him up so long ago. But Scut saves Christmas by bringing him home and telling him that if Ralphie had not beaten him up all those years ago, he didn't know where his life would be. That chance encounter as Ralphie bullies the bully puts Scut on a path of redemption to become a police officer so he can keep the town safe from bullies just like him. It's a beautiful moment of hope and redemption as Ralphie, throughout the film, wrestles with whether his life has meaning and purpose after not getting his novel published. This moment in the movie may make viewers reflect on the impact their own lives have on others, both positively and negatively, and be inspired to know that they touch more people's lives than they realize.
5. Nods to the Original
A sequel only works well if it provides enough nostalgic moments for viewers who hold the beloved original in high regard. Because this original is such a classic, Billingsley had his work cut out for him. Whether it's seeing the pink Bunny costume once again, the treasured shade of the now-deceased leg lamp, or relishing in Flick's revenge on Schwartz on a triple dog dare, fans will love the references to the original. What Billingsley does so well is he flips the script by not only using references to the original but uses those plot elements to propel the story forward.
For example, in the original, Ralphie desperately wants to get an A + on his theme titled "what I want for Christmas." But he is surprised to see the teacher's grade of a C + and the teacher's comment of "you'll shoot your eye out!" instead, crushing his dreams of ever getting his BB gun. Now, desperate to make his dreams of being a published author come true with his new sci-fi novel and write the best obituary for his dad, he is distraught to find his one year of income has dried up, and he was unable to publish his sci-fi novel Neptune's Oblivion. With his belief that he still has something meaningful to say, he discovers on Christmas morning that the tribute he wrote and left in the attic has now been published in the local newspaper. The paper's editor loves it so much that he calls and asks for more stories. Additionally, the tribute to his old man finds its place in syndication, including the newspapers in Chicago, where he lives. Ralphie basks in the neighbors' applause of a job well done to his dad, a man not known by many, but in his small town, he's beloved. Ralphie finally got his A +++, and he didn't have to shoot his eye out to get it.
Available on the streaming app HBO Max A Christmas Story Christmas is the perfectly tied bow on a Christmas classic played over and over throughout the Christmas season. Make a point to gather with friends and family and enjoy the comedic antics of Ralphie, Flick, and Schwartz once again. (Be sure to watch the credits for pictures of the sequel and the original's parallels.) The old man would be proud.
