Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey – A Festive Family Musical (Early Review)

Third on Netflix’s Holiday roster is an original Christmas musical that focuses on family and hope (Even if the film is named after a Riverdale drug). Starring the likes of Forest Whitaker, Phylicia Rashad, Keegan-Michael Key and Ricky Martin, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey blends the atmosphere and theatrical musical numbers of The Greatest Showman with the rhythm and style of Hamilton giving a new take on the Holiday musical to the modern audience. The result is somewhat surprising!

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey follows the fantastical tale of toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Whitaker/Justin Cornwell) who in Victorian-era England creates the toy of all toys. However, his apprentice Gustafson (Key/Miles Barrow) steals this magical invention for himself leaving his employer broke and alone. Decades pass leading Jeronicus’ granddaughter Journey (Madalen Mills) to learn of this story and tries to help the old toymaker find hope and construct this toy again.

What is surprising about this film is that it is actually much stronger than many of the other fluff-filled Netflix Holiday films. Talbert took an original stage musical and instead brought it to the screen with intricate choreographed numbers, a strong, memorable score (featuring Philip Lawrence and John Legend) and a fun, festive world to set it in. It bears resemblance to films like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium and at times borrows from Santa Clause 2 and Harry Potter (the aptly named Jangles and Things is pretty much Zonko’s Joke Shop from Hogsmeade).

The cast is sublime all around, headed by Whitaker who plays the charming Jeronicus Jangle. He keeps up with the best with his vocals while Key plays a great over-the-top holiday antagonist. Even newcomer Madalen Mills shines as the innocent, but adventurous granddaughter Journey. Meanwhile, the production value is much higher than most Netflix films as well, boasting lavish costumes and vibrant set design to create this imaginary town of Cobbleton. This can also be seen in the phenomenally crafted, but not overused stop motion moments that help drive the plot and exposition forward in a fun, visual way. These moments feel like pieces out of a classic Christmas tale which Jingle Jangle hopes to become.

Over the course of its two-hour runtime, there are only a few issues that arise. The first, is some out of place CGI animation. The second issue comes from narrative itself. On the surface, this is a great classic Christmas tale that is sure to become a staple watch for many families across the world every year. However, when one focuses on the story a little more it ends up becoming more complicated than it needs to be. The subplots with no direct effect on the main story and the more adventurous/spectacle sequences make the film feel like its been catered to an audience with a shorter attention span which makes it sometimes too much to digest at once.

Thankfully those issues are only minor annoyances which do not destroy the joyous, magical and family-centric Christmas tale at the core of this film which is sure to be a festive favourite.

Now onto the next Christmas tale! ‘Tis the season!

*still courtesy of Netflix

If you liked this, check out my YouTube channel The Film Fanatic, my other reviews and my website!

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Dylan Phillips