Michael Pierce

Caught me off Guard. What a great message (actually many messages) Perseverance was a strong one for sure. The Set Design was fantastic. It feels like a Charles Dickens Village but reimagined and so much more. Likewise with the costume design. I would've loved to have been an extra on this just to get to wear one of the costumes. They were gorgeous. Specifically the costume design for the young girl character, Journey. I went into this to watch on Sunday Morning. I saw the previews on TV the week previous and then started seeing pop ups on Social Media from friends who had watched it and loved it, so I went in blind. No idea about the story or messages or who was in it or anything. John Legend, Ricky Martin, Phylicia Rashad, Forest Whitaker, Anika Noni Rose and and Keegan-Michael Key. WOW I had no idea and that isn't even the whole cast. The kids are talented, the songs are fun, the choreography fits perfectly with group numbers and nothing over the top. This was a great new Christmas Story that really only is Christmas because of when the story is being told. I loved the back and forth between live characters and the CGI Carved toy characters. A VERY poignant moment between Forest Whitaker and Keegan Michael Keys at the end got to me as well (never give up, follow your dreams and do what's right all rolled into one short and brief scene). I absolutely loved this. I will watch again. Keep your eyes out for Madalen Mills, the young actress who portrayed, Journey. Her background is Broadway but I imagine it will soon be film and TV.