Plot Summary
When she’s sent with her friends to boarding school to become ‘proper ladies and gentlemen’, Mandie Shaw and crew stumble upon an attic full of Christmas secrets of years gone by. But another girl is determined to get them in trouble for snooping around. Yet Mandie is equally determined to find out the important information behind a room full of Christmas junk.
Production Quality (0 points)
Though there was some effort put in here, Mandie and the Forgotten Christmas embraces its childish identity too much. The entire production has an overall plastic feel to it, as the video quality looks like it’s been adjusted in post-production. The lighting is all wrong and camera work is very amateurish. Some of the audio sounds like it’s been over-dubbed while other parts are very echoed. The soundtrack is very cheesy and the audience is forced to listen to all kinds of stupid Christmas sound effects throughout. There is virtually no editing present as the story meanders around aimlessly. Essentially, the Mandie trilogy has digressed as it has gone on.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
As previously mentioned, there is little to no focus in this plot as the viewer is forced to sit through one choppy scene after another. The dialogue is very stilted and over-practiced, like a bad church play. The characters are quite plastic and scream ‘children’s book characters’ with every line and action. We realize this was adapted from a children’s book, but it doesn’t have to be like this. The events that happen are not terribly realistic and seem to exist in a magical alternate world. Also, the ending is as cheesy as can be expected. Essentially, there’s really nothing good to say here.
Acting Quality (0 points)
Really, what’s the point of casting David Blamy as a different character in this installment than he was in the first two installments? It’s extremely confusing and gives off the impression that they can’t find anybody else to cast in these films. Besides this, changing lead actresses in the midst of a trilogy\saga is never a good idea. In other respects, this cast is really not any good at acting and acting coaching is absent. As previously mentioned, this is just a bad church play.
Conclusion
As the Mandie series comes to a pathetic conclusion (maybe?), we have to reflect on what was truly accomplished in this saga. There was some potential early on, but it quickly faded away. We have to wonder if there was any justification for bringing this books to film, as the movies likely hurt the reputation of the children’s series. We’re sure that the creators meant well, but maybe some advice seeking was in order. Ambition is great, but delivering well is even better.
Final Rating: 0 out of 10 points
Box Office Revolution 
This trilogy could have been very good if they had stayed true to the ample content and potential found in the book series. Come to think of it, a lot of movies based on Christian books would be better if they stayed true to original content (hint hint the love comes softly series).
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