What To Watch First On Disney+: Noelle Review
NOELLE PARENT MOVIE REVIEW
I’m one of those people that believe Christmas is a feeling, not a date. Want to decorate a Christmas tree on November 1? Go for it! Leave it up until Valentine’s Day? Whatever floats your boat! That’s why I knew that Noelle would be on my list of What to Watch First on Disney+. Can your whole family watch this one? Noelle parent movie review will help you decide.
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What To Watch First On Disney+: Noelle
Real talk: I’ve written a few posts about what to watch first on Disney+. I shared why you want to watch each show and a parent movie review as well. And honestly was giving votes to watch each show/movie first.
But this one? This is THE movie to watch first on Disney+.
Noelle is- oh my garland!– y’all this one is OH so good.
How’s that for a comprehensive review?
I kid, I kid- I have more to say, but I absolutely think if you only have time for one movie on Disney+ launch day, you should make it Noelle (unless you have super strong beliefs about Christmas not starting until after Thanksgiving– then I’ll respect your choices and suggest Jeff Goldblum instead).
And the critics out there? Sure, I’ve seen those reviews. And let me just tell you: the average moviegoer looking for something to escape into the 12 Days of Christmas a bit early will love this movie.
And the reviewers who can’t see the joy in this one get a lump of coal in their stocking (or would if I was in charge of such things).
ANNA KENDRICK, SEAN BAILEY (PRESIDENT, WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTIONS), BILLY EICHNER
What’s Noelle About?
In Disney+’s holiday comedy “Noelle,” Kris Kringle’s daughter is full of Christmas spirit and holiday fun, but wishes she could do something “important” like her beloved brother Nick, who will take over from their father this Christmas.
When Nick is about to crumble like a gingerbread cookie from all the pressure, Noelle suggests he take a break and get away…but when he doesn’t return, Noelle must find her brother and bring him back in time to save Christmas.
Noelle Review
At D23 Expo, Anna Kendrick said she loved Christmas movies and always wanted to be in one that would become an instant classic. Hey, when you are Anna Kendrick, I think those kinds of goals are attainable.
And I truly think she nailed it with Noelle. She absolutely shines in the lead role and without her, I can’t say the movie would have worked as well. If you are an Anna fan, then you will find yourself even more smitten with her turn as Santa’s only daughter.
Noelle tells the story of the Kringle family and the patriarchial passing of the Santa mantle to the oldest male Kringle. The problem is: Nick, Noelle’s brother, doesn’t want it. Even worse: he’s simply not suited for this role and is bound to make an utter mess of all things Christmas.
Noelle, being the supportive sister and fulfilling the role she’s been assigned as cheerleader, suggests Nick take a few days off to ground himself before the big day.
Nick finds peace, alright, in a place no one would expect him. And he has no intention of coming back.
Noelle isn’t just a sappy Christmas story- though you certainly get some of that from this film. It’s smart with its puns and wit and the comedic timing that Kendrick provides.
Does it feel a little like Elf at times? Sure. But we love Elf and Kendrick puts her own spin on things that make this one stand on it’s own.
This movie has got heart, but it’s also got something to tell us, and that’s what makes this different from the typical Hallmark Christmas fare (no offense, Hallmark.)
Maybe society is wrong and you don’t have to try do what everyone says you are born to do? Maybe- is it possible?- even Santa can be wrong.
The message is there for both women (you can be Santa too!) and men (you don’t have to be what everyone expects you to be!)
Bill Hader plays Nick and he does a fantastic job when he’s on-screen, unfortunately, there just isn’t enough of him. While Kendrick takes on the lions share of the film, Hader is left slightly underused until the very end.
The cast is filled to the brim with talent and while most of the roles are suited well, I didn’t quite get where we were going with Gabriel, played by Billy Eichner. The click for this character doesn’t quite make the fit and feels a bit like a misfit toy that should be left on the shelf.
Noelle Podcast Review on The No-Guilt Fangirls Podcast
(Podcast Review scheduled for 11.18.2019)
Parent Review: What Ages Should Watch Noelle on Disney Plus?
I feel like this movie is one of the most family-friendly choices on the Disney+ streaming service.
There’s no cursing, no language, no sex and no real violence happening in Noelle.
It’s solidly on the Nice List!
However, there are some emotional moments such as the children in a homeless shelter. If you have an empath, you might want to watch their feelings during these scenes.
There will be tears in this movie, but they are sweet and lovely tears.
More Disney Plus Posts You’ll Love
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What to Watch First on Day 1 of Disney+: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
What to Watch First on Day 1 of Disney+: Marvel’s Hero Project
What to Watch First on Day 1 of Disney+: The World According to Jeff Goldblum
Patty Holliday is a parent movie reviewer, writer, and podcaster living in the Washington, DC area. Her goal is to bridge the gap between casual fandom and picky critic with parent movie and television reviews. As a lifelong fangirl and pop culture connoisseur, she’s been creating online since 2009. You can find her work at No-Guilt Disney.com, No-Guilt Fangirl.com, No-Guilt Life, and as host of the top-rated No-Guilt Disney Podcast.
