Directed By: Debbie Isitt
Starring: David Tennant, Jessica Hynes, Marc Wootton, Pam Ferris, Ian McNeice, Joanna Page
Screenplay: Debbie Isitt
UK Release Date: 23rd November 2012 -UK
Christmas is about the only time a ‘good’ film can feel like a great film, and that’s in no way a negative thing, simply because it’s one of the best holidays of the year- family, fun, friends and festive cheer (or in other words; all the good cheese).
Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger, (sequel to 2009’s Nativity! if you didn’t know) is just the type of good cheese. With some of the same young children as before and a few new, cute faces, Nativity 2 is set around Mr Maddens class at St Bernadette's again. Since the last film, Mr Madden (Martin Freeman) has moved to America, so St. Bernadette’s is looking for a replacement teacher to teach the class and keep the teaching assistant, Mr Poppy, in control. Soon to be Dad, Donald Peterson (David Tenant), is the lucky new teacher who’s fear of becoming a first time Dad is only aggravated once he is kidnapped by Mr Poppy and the children, to attend the Song For Christmas in Wales, losing his phone with no way of communicating with his heavily pregnant wife. Of course these, and the other mishaps, are hilarious and, although predictable, a lot of fun.
To create a great family film, the humour can’t just aim towards youngsters, but adults too. Nativity 2, like the first, is silly, belly-aching fun which is sure to tickle every member of the family in some way. From the auditions, to the long journey to Wales, Mr Poppy and most importantly the children, portray innocent fun such as finding a random donkey and interpreting it as a sign to taking part in fart competitions.
Undoubtedly the stand out of the entire film is the marvellous Jessica Hynes, who is Angel Matthews, a famous singer who judges the show with her own opinions on whose worthy and who’s just showing off. All of the child actors deserve a mention, for being adorable and whole heartedly believable, which is down to the improvised styling that the production took.
Although it misses the charm that most Christmas films entail, Nativity 2 is funny, sweet and enough to get you in the mood for the holidays. 3/5
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