In The Naughty Nine, Andy and a group of naughty kids who didn’t receive Christmas gifts this year plan to pull off a heist at Santa’s home. The movie is now streaming on Disney+.
Story
Andy is a troublemaker at school, and the last day before winter break is nothing different as he is again sent to the principal’s office. However, meeting the principal is again part of the last heist he pulls off before winter break.
Andy never gets caught and always has a lie or plan up his sleeve. When Andy and his partner in crime, his best friend, Dulce, don’t receive the gifts they want on Christmas, they realize that they are on the Naughty List.
Andy doesn’t like that Santa gets to decide who deserves gifts and who doesn’t. After learning that his gift could be sitting in Santa’s workshop, Andy decides to get it himself.
However, to pull off a heist as big as this one, he is going to need the best team possible. Hence, he assembles a team of naughty but talented kids who haven’t received Christmas gifts this year.
Performances
Winslow Fegley, as Andy, struggles to be likable at first, but eventually, he stands out as a capable leader who does want to work towards everyone’s greater good.
Camila Rodriguez, as Dulce, is the emotional quotient of the film. Whenever she expresses her struggles as the middle child and the only kid who doesn’t have a twin in her family, it hits. Also, it’s heartwarming to see her by Andy’s side all the time and call him her person.
The Naughty Nine has quite a talented cast, as every other character stands out in one way or another. It looks like the kids are enjoying playing their characters, and it makes the film more endearing.
Positives
The Naughty Nine assembles a distinct group of kids, with each one of them standing out in their own right. Furthermore, they all get their time to shine. The kids watching the film will relate to at least one of the kids from the film.
The creators certainly have put in a lot of work. The film runs at an engaging pace and has you questioning what’s next. Furthermore, many of the instances in the film, though not believable, are acceptable. The sets and the costumes are top-notch.
The important factor that blends with the Christmas theme is the heist. The heists in the film are thrilling and come with challenging obstacles for each and every character. Lastly, the film manages to send a simple yet beautiful message that goes well with the film.
Negatives
One gets lost when Andy decides to stay back after the heist. It’s good that the film keeps it mysterious why he decided to do so, but this is where the film could have also hinted at why he must have done that and created an emotional moment. The scene, though mysterious, feels empty.
Verdict
The Naughty Nine is a clever blend of heist and Christmas themes. The cast delivers memorable performances, and the creators make most of the aspects count when it comes to making a Christmas film for kids.
The Naughty Nine
Director: Alberto Belli
Date Created: 2023-11-23 06:30
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