WISHES AND FLAWS •/• A Review of 'Genie' - The Christmas Fantasy

We are currently in the Christmas season and it is all about love and joy. As a movie lover that I am, anytime I feel stressed or I feel like relaxing, I just look around for a movie to watch. Since it is the holiday season, I came across some Christmas-themed movies.

One thing about Christmas movies is that they lighten people’s minds for the season, also it all about family and love. I don’t think I have come across a Christmas-themed movie that has a unique storyline or probably quite indirectly about love and family. I hope to come across a movie like that, I love a storyline that is out of the box.

Well, I came across some movies in my search to watch one, and I decided to go with the movie “Genie”, I was quite captivated by the title and I wondered what a genie has to do with the Christmas season.

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ABOUT THE MOVIE

” Genie” is a fantasy-comedy film with a Christmas theme, Genie was released on 22 November 2023, and it is a duration of 1hr 30min. This movie was directed by “Sam Boyd” and written by “Richard Curtis”, it starred “Melissa McCarthy” as “Flora”, “Paapa Essiedu” as “Bernard” and “Deńee Benton” as “Julie”

After I watched this movie, I found out that this movie was a remake of Bernard and the Genie, a 1991 comedy-drama film. Although I haven’t watched the movie before and I don’t think I would.

If you have watched movies like “Aladdin”, then you are probably familiar with genies and how they work. Most of us know that a genie grants three wishes to its master and that was what I expected when I chose to watch this movie.

I was quite shocked to see that it was not like the regular genie that we are used to, a different structure, not your regular man with ponytails but a charming woman, this Genie didn't follow the ordinary rules although it also followed some rules.

There was a lot more to this genie than I had imagined because she could grant unlimited wishes and it was more like a Christmas blessing for a downhearted man whose marriage was on the edge of separation.

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MY THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS

To be honest, this movie was not top notch as I thought it would be. The movie was quite lighthearted and fluffy, although I never expected something really out of the box or rational because most of the Christmas movies I have watched are just simple and entertaining not always so serious.

Although, this movie was a simple one but to me, it has some fluffs that actually made the movie less appreciated. The storyline was quite okay but also not well structured, I feel the director was so focused on the main plot, that some plot holes were overlooked.

One reason that made me attracted to the movie was Melissa McCarthy since I saw that she was one of the leading roles, I was quite convinced that the movie was going to be a funny one and in all sincerity, it was kind of humorous, I mean I did find myself laughing or smiling a few times, and I’ll give the credit to Melissa

I wouldn’t say the acting skills were excellent, the other main actors (Bernard and Julia) barely reciprocated the vibe the movie was giving, initially, I assumed that they were not professional but when I was done with the movie I decided to check them out because I have not watch any of their movies before and I found that they have acted quite a lot of movies.

But still, whether they are professionals or not, I still feel like this type of movie doesn’t really suit them, but a more serious and humourless movie would be perfect for them. The other actors were quite great for the movie.

I love the setting of the movie, it is a nice one with a great soundtrack and the atmosphere of the movie was just pleasing. It gives the Christmas spirit, it portrays a true Christmas movie, focused on family and love.

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CONCLUSION

“Genie” is a nice movie that teaches love and selflessness. It is also a family movie, you can watch it on a cool Sunday evening with family or friends. It is a fun one, that would make you smile once or more and also put you in the feeling of the season.

If you are someone who doesn't really think deeply about a movie and you don't mind some minor plot holes. I'll say you should give the movie a try. Also, if you love light-hearted movies just to relax, then it sounds like an ideal movie for that.

In other words, Genie is not an outstanding movie but it is entertaining. I would rate it a 5.5/ 10.

Trailer