Get into the Christmas spirit with Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds musical comedy

Spirited brings two of Hollywood’s most likable actors together for a serviceable holiday film that is not likely to become a classic.

With the holidays right around the corner and the cold weather taking over, a lot of us enjoy curling up on the couch and putting on a Christmas movie, like Home Alone or whatever is on Hallmark right now. This year, many people were excited to see Elf‘s star Will Ferrell return to the holiday scene in Spirited, starring alongside another beloved Hollywood icon, Ryan Reynolds.

Spirited, written and produced by Sean Anders and John Morris, retells the story of Charles Dickens’s 1843 novella A Christmas Carol with a twist. The musical follows The Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell) on his last mission before retirement to change Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds), an “unredeemable” who treats everyone with selfishness and disdain. 

The picture does a good job of acknowledging important matters such as cyberbullying, while keeping a fun atmosphere that puts you in the light Christmas mood.

Will Ferrell’s presence in the movie brings a comforting feeling to fans that grew up watching Elf every year around the holidays. It’s nice seeing him back on the Christmas screen with the same charisma and energy he brought to us in the 2003 hit and that made him one of the most likable people in Hollywood. 

Ryan Reynolds also has a place on that list, and that’s probably the reason why they have such great chemistry. The two actors work so well, that you already know when they show up together on screen you’re most likely going to have a good time. 

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While the film is pretty funny and often creative, it has a few flaws. The music isn’t terrible,, but the songs feel unnecessary most of the time and interrupt the flow of the story. The soundtrack was written by Pasek and Paul, who are responsible for features in award-winning soundtracks like La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman. Even though Ferrell, Reynolds and Octavia Spencer (Kimberly) deliver amazing and energetic musical performances, the songs in Spirited don’t give out the impression that they were written by the same songwriting duo. These are not tunes that are going to get stuck in your head or performed at your Christmas parties. 

Even though the musical aspect of the movie keeps it from reaching a greater audience, it also makes it a good family movie. The film does a fair job of balancing funny and more mature jokes, that turn the experience for adults who don’t like musicals less dreadful, and more “childish” songs so it can be enjoyable for both kids and parents. 

Overall, if you’re looking for a fun Christmas movie to watch with your family and get into the holiday spirit as well as have some good laughs, despite all its flaws, Spirited is a guaranteed good time.