I will be the primary to confess that one in every of Hallmark’s most anticipated Christmas flicks, Vacation Landing: A Chiefs Love Story, didn’t make my listing of Countdown to Christmas motion pictures I used to be most excited for. Nonetheless, I made a decision to provide the football-inspired movie an opportunity. Don’t get me flawed, the romance was cute, it delivered a candy love story, and we bought to see Donna Kelce’s nice performing debut. Nevertheless, it didn’t really feel like a Christmas film to me, and I’ve an issue with that.
If the wordy title wasn’t clear sufficient, Vacation Landing: A Chiefs Love Story follows Alana (Hunter King), a die-hard Kansas Metropolis Chiefs fan who helps her household run a retailer that sells varied merchandise for the group. She decides to enter her household into the group’s Fan of the 12 months contest by submitting a narrative in regards to the fortunate hat one in every of them wears each time the Chiefs play on Christmas day and the way it helps them get to the Tremendous Bowl. Naturally, Derrick (Tyler Hynes), the Director of Fan Engagement, is tasked with evaluating Alana’s story, and he’s a bit skeptical of the superstition.
Nevertheless, as he spends extra time with the household and Alana, particularly, he begins to shed his skepticism. After which catastrophe strikes when the hat goes lacking, jeopardizing Alana’s household’s fame and the Chief’s Tremendous Bowl odds.
I knew going into this film that I wasn’t the target market for it. In any case, I couldn’t care much less about soccer, and the one factor I do know in regards to the Chiefs is that Travis Kelce performs for them — and that’s solely due to his relationship with Taylor Swift. Nevertheless, it’s not the primary Hallmark Christmas Film I’ve checked out that doesn’t spark pleasure in me from the title alone, so I owed it the good thing about my doubts.
I can admit that I discovered myself enamored by the chemistry between Alana and Derrick and was completely happy to see them get their fortunately ever after. Nevertheless, I additionally grew increasingly annoyed by the dearth of consideration Christmas bought within the film.
It’s no secret that Hallmark has perfected the Christmas film system over time. It’s one of many causes I like these motion pictures a lot as a result of I at all times know what I’m getting myself into after I settle in on the sofa to observe.
Lately, they’ve began to deviate from the system by together with youthful protagonists and specializing in platonic love as a substitute of romantic love. Often, I like these adjustments and benefit from the distinctive spin they’ve placed on some vacation movies, as a result of on the coronary heart they’ve remained centered across the Christmas vacation and its varied traditions.
The identical can’t be mentioned about Vacation Landing: A Chiefs Love Story. Certain, there have been appearances from Santa and a Christmas miracle occurred when the lacking hat was returned to Alana simply in time for kickoff. Nevertheless, the same old vacation flare synonymous with Hallmark motion pictures was lacking.
There was no tree lighting ceremony or romance that concerned one character having to upend their massive metropolis life to maneuver to a small city — a typical trope in these motion pictures. Alana and Derrick did go ice skating and there was a short reward trade between the household, however that’s about it. As a substitute, a lot of the main target was on the household’s love for the group and the way it’s outlined who they’re for generations.
For my part, the film would have labored rather a lot higher had it been set throughout soccer playoff season and even the Tremendous Bowl. Hallmark may have then launched it every week earlier than the massive sport — and probably created a complete new thrilling lineup of soccer romance movies. Nevertheless, as a substitute, we bought a movie that’s thought-about a Christmas flick, as a result of that is merely when it takes place.
Vacation Landing: A Chiefs Love Story may not be my favourite Hallmark Christmas film this yr. Nevertheless, there are many followers on the market who loved it and the varied cameos made by people who find themselves linked to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
In case you missed it catching it stay, you’re in luck. Vacation Landing: A Chiefs Love Story is ready to replay Wednesday, December 4th at 8 p.m. ET on the Hallmark Channel.