USS Christmas | B+

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Premiere | November 28, 2020

I wouldn't have blamed him for not showing up.

Journalist Maddie goes on a tiger cruise for Christmas with her mom and fighter pilot sister. There, she meets naval aviator Billy, call sign Grinch. It's all very Top Gun, if Top Gun had included candy canes, Christmas ornaments, and mistletoe. On the aircraft carrier, Maddie discovers the story of a couple who found love on a tiger cruise years ago, and she and Billy work together to track them down. In the process of uncovering a great love story, Billy and Maddie fall in love themselves. However, Maddie isn't sure that she can commit to military life, so she rejects Billy over and over again. In fact, I half expected Billy to stand her up at the end of the movie, but then I remembered that I was watching Hallmark.

For the most part, this movie was sweet and entertaining. The casting was great, and while there were definitely things that bothered me (see below), I enjoyed it.

Hallmark gets an A on: Trevor Donovan (Billy); Jen Lilley (Maddie); the nod to our military; Mr. Bailey (nicest boss ever); Maddie's mom; Billy's dad

Hallmark gets a D on: the photoshopping; snow in Norfolk; CGI jets; Sam and Dorothy (I just wasn't buying this interview at all); Maddie's keeping the journal so she could finish her story; glossing over the actual content of the final article

Grade: B+ * 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.