A Very Jonas Christmas Movie: The Brothers Brings Holiday Cheer

A Very Jonas Christmas Movie is a new Disney+ Original film that reunites The Jonas Brothers for a Christmas-themed adventure alongside an all star supporting cast. Following the completion of their latest tour, Kevin, Nick, and Joe (all playing themselves) the brothers are about to go their separate ways for the Holidays. However, after one night, a run-in with Santa (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) led them to the realization that they need to grow closer as brothers once again. From there, Kevin, Joe, and Nick found themselves faced with a series of escalating obstacles, as they struggle to make it from London to New York in time to spend Christmas with their families. A film that will absolutely please lifelong fans of the Jonas Brothers, it has its charms as it provides decent enough entertainment this holiday season, in spite of its many flaws.

Now this might have something to do with the fact that the brothers are playing fictional versions of themselves, but Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas turn in solid performances as their familial chemistry translates well on screen. Meanwhile, whether they appear in supporting roles or simply as a brief cameo, the film boasts a stacked supporting cast who are clearly having a lot of fun, delivering the film’s biggest laughs, in particular Andrew Barth Feldman and Billie Lourd. Like all of the best Christmas films, its success can be attributed to its heart and charm, helping to put audiences in the Christmas spirit. To boot, it features a timeless message about family and brotherhood.

Running at only 78-minutes, the film moves at a nice pace and won’t take up too much of audiences’ time. Considering the Jonas Brothers lead the film, it makes sense to lean on their musical talents, so audiences can expect several sequences of the brothers breaking out in song, and dance. These sequences will ultimately live or die on how one feels about the brothers, and their songs. That being said, they at least fit with the holiday theme. While a harmless viewing experience, it doesn’t have a whole lot to offer and lacks much in the way of staying power, other than for fans of the band of course.

On the other hand, the script feels like it was quickly thrown together, as if its sole purpose was merely to bolster this year’s Disney+ Christmas content. The plot is as basic as a Christmas comedy can get, it barely offers up any conflict or genuine obstacles for its titular brothers to overcome and to make matters worse, it is rarely ever all that funny outside of its many cameos, despite its countless attempts to be. On top of its other issues, the film is as predictable as can be, and for a road film, it is a shame that it could not have come up with anything worthy for the Jonas brothers to contend with.

All in all, A Very Jonas Christmas Movie is a middling holiday musical comedy that will likely please fans of the brothers, which is all that truly matters in its eyes, not aiming for much else. To its credit, the film does not try to be anything it’s not and while it certainly could have done more with in terms of its premise, making it into something more memorable. In spite of its flaws, it is not lacking in Christmas spirit, charm, and heart, adding up to a quick, and decent, watch this holiday season.

still courtesy of Disney

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Connor Carey

www.connorsmoviereviews.com/