Bob Clark's film centers on nine-year-old Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) and his desire for a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. Throughout the film his wish is shot down repeatedly (pun intended) by multiple adults (including Santa himself) telling him, "You'll shoot your eye out." Ralphie endures neighborhood bullies, mean teachers, and not-so-tasty bars of soap in the days before Christmas. I can't tell you if Ralphie gets his gun or not, but I can tell you that you won't quit laughing from the movie's start to its finish.
I actually watched this movie all the way through for the first time just a few years ago, but I instantly knew I would make a tradition of watching it every year. It always puts me in a great mood and it has led to so many inside jokes between my parents and me (including a recreation of Ralphie's pink bunny pajamas).
I love how the movie is shown from the perspective of a nine-year-old. Having been nine years old once myself, I can definitely confirm the credibility of Ralphie's daydreams and Christmas wishes. The perspective puts such an innocent spin on the film, which is something I think we all need to see every once in a while. The viewer easily falls in love with Ralphie and feels like a member of the Parker family (however I would be a bit more sympathetic toward Ralphie's cause than his parents). We laugh with Ralphie, we cry with Ralphie, we sit through...interesting...renditions of "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls" with Ralphie.
The writers did an excellent job with Ralphie's character. Sometimes child characters can get annoying after a while, but Ralphie never does. Again, I think his innocence and determination play into that. Ralphie doesn't have time to become annoying because he is always focused on his goals: getting a good grade on his paper, getting the BB gun, getting rid of his bunny pajamas, etc. Ralphie is so motivated that he seems older than he really is at times; then, just as soon as it's gone, his nine-year-old side returns (which is not a bad thing by any means). Also, Ralphie is simply too adorable to be annoying. (What? His two-sizes-too-big glasses are precious!)
I also love the time period that the movie is set in: the 40s. Thanks to Bing Crosby, I always think of the 40s at Christmas time--this movie just fuels the fire. A Christmas Story does a wonderful job of sticking to the time period; the costumes and props work perfectly, and I love the little nod to the (still new at that time) Wizard of Oz movie.
I'm very happy to say that A Christmas Story will remain at the top of my Christmas movie list for many, many years into the foreseeable future. It's one of those Christmas movies that makes me ask myself if it's socially acceptable to watch in June, because it's just that great.
Score: 9.5/10
Recommend? Absolutely
I love how the movie is shown from the perspective of a nine-year-old. Having been nine years old once myself, I can definitely confirm the credibility of Ralphie's daydreams and Christmas wishes. The perspective puts such an innocent spin on the film, which is something I think we all need to see every once in a while. The viewer easily falls in love with Ralphie and feels like a member of the Parker family (however I would be a bit more sympathetic toward Ralphie's cause than his parents). We laugh with Ralphie, we cry with Ralphie, we sit through...interesting...renditions of "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls" with Ralphie.
The writers did an excellent job with Ralphie's character. Sometimes child characters can get annoying after a while, but Ralphie never does. Again, I think his innocence and determination play into that. Ralphie doesn't have time to become annoying because he is always focused on his goals: getting a good grade on his paper, getting the BB gun, getting rid of his bunny pajamas, etc. Ralphie is so motivated that he seems older than he really is at times; then, just as soon as it's gone, his nine-year-old side returns (which is not a bad thing by any means). Also, Ralphie is simply too adorable to be annoying. (What? His two-sizes-too-big glasses are precious!)
I also love the time period that the movie is set in: the 40s. Thanks to Bing Crosby, I always think of the 40s at Christmas time--this movie just fuels the fire. A Christmas Story does a wonderful job of sticking to the time period; the costumes and props work perfectly, and I love the little nod to the (still new at that time) Wizard of Oz movie.
I'm very happy to say that A Christmas Story will remain at the top of my Christmas movie list for many, many years into the foreseeable future. It's one of those Christmas movies that makes me ask myself if it's socially acceptable to watch in June, because it's just that great.
Score: 9.5/10
Recommend? Absolutely
