There’s more doggy delights in the sugary sweet All I Want for Christmas is You (2017), a computer-animated film based on the ubiquitous song by Mariah Carey and her children’s book, co-written with Colleen Madden. The self-styled ‘Queen of Christmas’ clearly loves a cash-in, and this won’t win any awards, but is perfectly serviceable festive fare for little ones.
Here, Carey herself narrates the tale of a young girl named, yup, Mariah (Brianna Yde) who really wants a dog for Christmas and is made to pet-sit a mischievous puppy to prove she’s responsible enough. Before long, the adorable mutt turns Mariah and her family’s lives upside down with its cheeky antics.
For this being a labour of love for Carey, her narration is weirdly disinterested-sounding, as though she’s just reading off the page. Yde as Young Mariah is much more natural and has a great set of pipes to boot, shining in the film’s numerous musical moments.
Plot-wise, it's very pedestrian – spoiled little girl learns having a pet carries great responsibility – but punctuated by a few fun dream sequences that give us an insight into Carey’s ever so slightly bonkers psyche. The film basically reveals what Carey’s priorities are – being popular, getting whatever she wants and lots of shopping.
The Fonz himself Henry Winkler gives a welcome voice performance as Mariah’s kooky, Christmas light-obsessed grandfather, showing he’s seamlessly transitioned into jovial, crazy old guy roles.
The film quite humorously deals with the way kids can be oblivious to the difficulties parents endure at Christmas when their children demand exorbitant presents they either can’t afford or really don’t want to get. God knows, I’ve been there.
Naturally, lil’ Mariah wants the fanciest, rarest dog and hits out with hideous lines like “Daddy could never say no to me.” So, it's hilarious that the dog she ends up with is a mangy mutt called Jack who makes her life hell.
They do eventually fall for each other and the film puts the title song into a smart new perspective. I’d heard this a million times, but never imagined that Carey could be singing it about a dog. I’ve never been a huge fan of the song but when this shaggy dog tale is over, I do get goosebumps when the tune kicks in. I end up kind of liking this one – it’s wonderfully festive and the sort of thing my daughter goes gaga for. I can’t wait to let Amelia watch it, though I’m quite sure she’ll want a bloody puppy afterwards.
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