Noelle is like "Elf Light." It's the same basic fish-out-of-water premise, but it's not as clever of a story. Plus, Anna Kendrick doesn't quite have the same childlike innocence & energy of Will Ferrell. The heart of this movie is more successful than its humor. It hits the emotional notes well, even when the jokes are landing flat. However, it tends to get heavy-handed at times and seems to make up rules as it goes. It kept me entertained, but I'm not going to re-watch this movie each Christmas.

The Santa Clause, Elf, Call Me Claus. Mash it up, rinse and recycle. You have Noelle.

Despite a glittery cast, this one was produced for the new Disney streaming service.

Santa Claus is a role taken up by the Kringle family. Now the elder Kringle is calling it a day, his son Nick Kringle (Bill Hader) is being groomed to take over the Christmas parcel delivery business. Unfortunately Nick is not cut out for this, he skips the North Pole and discovers yoga somewhere in America.

It is up to his sister Noelle (Anna Kendrick) with Elf Polly (Shirley MacLaine) to go and find Nick in time for Christmas Eve. When she arrives in small town America, she hires a dishy private detective.

Like Elf this is a fish out of water comedy. It is also a gender swap comedy as it becomes clear that Noelle has what it takes to be the next Santa.

The film has decent special effects, a sweet performance from Kendrick. Kids will enjoy this and they are the main audience. Adults will realize that there are better Christmas films out there.

Disney, Christmas, and Anne Kendrick. What was not to like. I enjoyed the film which makes light of modern culture. Julie Hagerty plays Mrs. Claus as if she was still in "Airplane." Anne Kendrick was adorable as Santa's daughter trying to save Christmas as her brother doesn't want to take over the job. Shirley MacLaine as an elf was enjoyable as well as Billy Eichner as the tech guy. In a way it shows how technology is killing traditions. Sad on a certain level. The kids might like it too.