This is a British film and I do feel that I am partisan when it comes to British movie as the British film industry has a great history but it died a death before its revival in the past few years. I’m saying that as you may well find British movies higher than maybe it should be. I don’t think I have with this film but I am putting that caveat here just in case on a subconscious level I have. This is the unofficial Children In Need movie for 2012 it was made on a budget $3m and went on to make $10m at the box office (and I know there are $ signs there and its British but it’s because the rest of these reviews are in $ and I don’t want to change it). Which for a British movie in 2012 isn’t bad because I cannot see this type of movie isn’t ever going to be a success in the US which is a much bigger market.
It stars David Tennant (yes, the Dr Who David), Joanna Page, Marc Wootton, Pam Ferris, Ian McNeice, Jason Watkins, Jessica Hynes & Grace Hollis and follows somewhat from the first movie. This time Tennant plays Donald Peterson as a teacher recruited to the St Bernadette’s Primary School who has been assigned to the class that Mr Madden had left. He also has the same TA as Madden’s i.e. the reason for watching the first movie Mr Poppy. In this movie the kids hear about ‘A Song for Christmas’ competition where there is a cash prize for the winning school. Mrs Bevan the head refuses without a qualified teacher and assumes Mr Poppy will ensure no teacher will ever stay in the post very long. Donald’s twin works for St Cuthbert’s College and has entered the competition. Can you can tell where this is going yet? To finish without completely ruin everything that the final of the competition is being held in Wales and they decide to go on a ‘field trip’ just before the competition. What could possibly go wrong?
I like this movie; members of my family love this movie from the minute it the trailer was out they were going to love it. We had no choice in the matter we were going to like it no matter what! It can’t be a bad movie with David Tennant in it and he is the best thing in this. Mr Poppy is still funny and the kids are great. It may not be quite as good as the first and as with most sequels it just doesn’t quite live up to the original but as Crimbo movies go this is a good escape from the shopping and decorating, baking and all the other pre-Christmas things you do in December. So, give this a go, no doubt it will be on tv over Christmas somewhere anyway.
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