Move over Grinch, there is a new Christmas movie in town. Last month, Netflix released its original musical Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey after three years of production. Jingle Jangle was written and directed by David E. Talbert, a playwright, a novelist, and the director and producer behind two previous Christmas movies. His new musical is a definite standout, it unapologetically embraces the Christmas spirit, the nuances of emotional health, and the magic of childhood. The movie follows the story of a mad scientist-esque inventor and toymaker Jeronicus Jangle, played by the renowned actor Forest Whitaker. In the opening number titled “This Day,” the audience is invited into his toy shop which is filled with bright colors, traditional decorations, and happy customers dancing around in their flashy Victorian costumes. It flawlessly sets the mood for the Christmas tale that is to come.
After eons of hard work, Jeronicus unleashes his greatest invention to his wife and young daughter. To his joy, they are mesmerized by his creation: a matador figurine that has living characteristics. The figurine is very animate; it can move, it can talk, it can sing, and it is voiced by the sensual “King of Latin Pop” Ricky Martin. After Mr. Jangle dismisses and pushes aside his mentee Gustafson (played by newcomer Miles Barrow in adolescence, and then Keegan-Michael Key in adulthood) to celebrate with his family, his mentee becomes blinded with jealousy and steals the figurine along with a book detailing Jangle’s creations. This causes the inventor to lose his wonderment and eventually, his family.
In all, Jingle Jangle is a love story to Christmas and the cheerful spirit surrounding it. The movie is quick to take a time jump, juxtaposing young Jeronicus Jangle’s (played by Justin Cornwell) toy-making wizardry and joy to his newfound sense of sadness which has now encompassed every aspect of his life. It is jarring to discover Jeronicus’ present reality where he owns a failing pawn shop and is indebted to his landlord who threatens to shut down the shop if he cannot increase his cash flow. Despite now having an estranged relationship with his daughter Jessica (played by The Princess and the Frog’s Anika Noni Rose), Jeronicus reluctantly agrees to let his granddaughter Journey stay with him throughout the holiday season after Journey produces a forged letter from him, inviting her to visit.
Jeronicus Jangles’ granddaughter (played by debuting actor Madalen Mills), is a young and hopeful child who shamelessly embodies her grandfather’s past passion for creating. She twirls her way through Jangle’s life, singing optimistic tunes about standing out and being fascinated by science while she works to assist him in the creation of his new, uninspired inventions and figure out how to help him repair his past. Her journey is heartwarming as she enters the movie singing about how “being great is good and all, but being different sure is tough.” She eventually comes to tell herself “the square root of impossible is me” in a beautifully choreographed musical number that is filled with conjuring up magical scientific formulas that appear across the screen in light blue writing for all to see. However, trouble quickly brews in the Christmas village. After Journey helps bring her grandfather’s newest toy to life, the Buddy 3000, it is stolen once again by Jeronicus’ mentee-turned-nemesis.
The movie is filled to the brim with fun shenanigans as the newly acquainted family tries to protect and revive their legacy. They receive help from friends within the community like the fun and quirky postwoman, Ms. Johnston who is played by the British newcomer Lisa Davina Phillip, and Jeronicous’ precautious child assistant, Edison played by debuting actor Kieron L. Dyer. The two children find themselves trapped in Gustafson’s factory as they try to retrieve Buddy 3000.
One of the most amazing components of the musical is the exceptional soundtrack that it features. Jingle Jangle’s music was created by the “All of Me” singer John Legend and Philip Lawrence, a songwriter who has worked on hit songs with Bruno Mars, CeeLo Green, and Adele. The music is upbeat and catchy, a perfect accompaniment to the musical’s heartwarming story and showy musical numbers. Although very contemporary sounding, the musical’s score does not hold back from combining elements of jazz and native African music, featuring a standout song by Ghanian singer Bisa Kdei during a fun snow fight scene. It is dripping with creativity and excellence.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey emulates similar energy to the acclaimed musical The Greatest Showman. Coincidentally enough, it was choreographed by the same person, Ashley Wallen. In addition to that, Jingle Jangle offers an original story and a feel-good narrative that does not feel strained or overly cheesy, all of which was brought together by its highly skilled and diverse cast and crew. Although the musical is packed with lively sequences and high spirited staging, it never ventures into overproduction. Rather, the musical remains a traditional Christmas tale, with an overarching narrator and the rediscovery of Christmas joy.
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