Hallmark Channel Premiere | November 25, 2021
* Note - if you have not seen the 2014 prequel, The Nine Lives of Christmas, you should.
I was bound to love this movie, given that it is the sequel to one of my Hallmark favorites and features cute kittens at every turn. Thankfully, I have no qualms about giving it the A that it was destined to receive. It was a good one, despite being somewhat ridiculous and formulaic.
In this movie, Marilee and Zachary have been broken up for five years. (Gasp! Hallmark couples are supposed to stay together!) They are reunited when Marilee returns for Christmas and helps Zach find homes for nine abandoned kittens. Along with the familiar cast of characters, there is baking, tree shopping, gift wrapping, and wine drinking. (In fact, there is a lot of wine drinking this season, Hallmark!) There are also nine adorable kittens, who are sure to prompt an "awwww" or two, no matter how much you try not to.
Despite my disappointment that Marilee and Zachary broke up after the first movie, I enjoyed seeing them get back together, with the help of their feline friends. I enjoyed it so much that I did not even cringe when Marilee's cat tossed her the phone (without the benefit of opposable thumbs) or when Zachary's cat answered his phone so that he was forced to take Marilee's call. This whole sequence of events was completely ridiculous, but I was already invested.
Mostly, I am thankful that there are so few fires in Jamestown, Oregon. This remarkable fact allows the firemen to spend their time hosting fundraisers and formal events, wrapping gifts, restoring antique firetrucks, taking care of kittens, and discussing their complicated emotions about love. I would like to think that real firefighters are just like this.
Hallmark gets an A on: the kittens; the two leads; the amicable breakup; creating a successful sequel
Hallmark gets an F on: making us watch a cat answer the phone
Grade: A
* Note Grading Scale:
A = This is seriously a good movie. It will remain on my DVR for the season.
B = Totally exceeded my expectations. I'm happy to recommend.
C = This is an average Hallmark movie. Good holiday fun.
D = I'm disappointed... but I watched it. Why not?
F = I actually had a hard time getting through this one. And that says a lot.
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