A Royal Christmas on Ice (2022 TV Movie) User Reviews

Definitely family safe entertainment

[Jackbv123 · 4/10 · 6 November 2022]

Does "family entertainment" mean it was written by a 10 year old. Perhaps it was written for a younger audience because it lacks the sophistication I would expect for a movie aimed at the usual Christmas romance crowd.

The script is bad. The dialogue is filled with inanities and lacks any sparkle. The acting is mediocre, although Anna Marie Dobbins' Abigail does have some screen appeal. The story is simplistic. I was glad to see that Prince John was not an imminent heir to the throne so a romance with Abigail was not as impossible as is often the case in Royal movies. I understand time compression in movies, but it does make me cringe a little when characters "fall in love" so quickly.

There is some figure skating but the camera work is clumsy with frequent changing angles and closeups that are too close up.

This is not one to watch again.

They can't all be gems

[mbiv777 · 4/10 · 24 November 2022]

That's what comedians used to say after a joke fell flat, not unlike this movie.

This premise of royalty meeting American commoners and giving up everything for them is the fairy tale, but how many of these schlock-fests are we going to be forced to endure?

Forced is the wrong word, I suppose: nobody made me watch this. And as another reviewer pointed out, there has been significant improvement in the GAV offerings this year. But not this one.

The lead actress had her appeal, but the rest of the cast reminded me of a local theater production.

There were some performances that were not awful: the baker had a nice way about him, and the best friend was ok.

William Baldwin didn't add anything by his presence, not that I would expect any different.

It's too bad. This looked like it might be ok from the trailer. Guess that's why they make them.

Not much figure skating

[the_doofy · 4/10 · 23 December 2022]

Lots of smoo smoo drama.

Its a movie for the ladies looking for a clean feel good romance, guys will tough it out

The only game in town with this kind of genre is still 'the ice princess', and thats old school Disney, nothing in coming with the modern crap they are spewing out

I did not really understand the two leads, neither one could ice skate very well, the extras could not ice skate as well, and she is supposedly a one time Olympic hopeful training Olympic hopefuls, NOPE. How did that female lead get the part? Was GAF too dam lazy to audition some actual figure skaters? Maybe some behind the scenes favors occurred?

As one of a few straight males who enjoys women's figure skating, this was disappointing.

Very weak Christmas romance entry

[VetteRanger · 3/10 · 6 November 2022]

After last week bragging on GAF for stepping up their game this year, we come to this.

Weak dialogue, weak acting, and a contrived and unconvincing story line had us deciding to abandon this film sometime during the Christmas party scene.

Seriously, how long can you milk the angst from a dropped bakery cake? According to these writers, for a VERY long time. There was a bit of self-awareness when the female lead's friend asked her why she was so hostile to the guy (who by the way, SHE bumped into in the action, not the other way around as they continually stated in dialogue) when what happened was an accident and he went well out of his way to make it right.

Exactly.

Dialogue with the ubiquitous 'old boyfriend' was weak and unconvincing. Dialogue back with the male lead's royal family was awkward and glacial in pace.

We could finally take no more, despite the fact we're ice skating fans and were drawn by the premise.

Lost potential

[isabelros · 3/10 · 30 November 2022]

This movie was the worst Christmas movie that I've seen in awhile. Abigail, the lead female, was immature and downright unlikeable. I saw her smile twice I think. She's mad at the world, miserable with her life and blaming everyone else for her own mistakes and choices. It isn't believable that any man with self worth would pursue her.

The baker character is cute, and the friend that tried to call her out for being rude but wasn't near harsh enough. By the end, I was hoping it turned into a murder mystery.

The town was cute. Baldwin was a nice surprise. The story had potential. It just couldn't overcome that character.

Kept turning it off.

[chshopping · 3/10 · 21 August 2023]

Unfortunately, not a great script; actually pretty horrible or it's that the casting was that bad. Maybe with better directing it might have been an okay movie. Also very little chemistry between actors. Most of the scenes felt forced like the actors were bored with the script. I was unfamiliar with Jonathan Stoddard (Prince John) but felt he was the only redeeming quality about the movie and probably why I kept going back to finish it. For the most part, he seems believable in most of his scenes. Peter Johnson (Al the baker & Santa) didn't have many scenes but I also thought he was believable.

Awful, awful acting, cute story

[robinzo · 3/10 · 6 November 2022]

The story is a spin on the royalty, post-injury ice skater, and failing business tropes, but it works. The acting, with the exception of the small role of Stephen Baldwin and the promising actor in the lead male role, is inexcusably terrible. Everyone either over or under acted. I could hardly get through it, and my expectations for these movies is pretty low.

It also seemed incomplete, because the rest of the royal family was set up to be revisited, but wasn't. That part of the story was just dropped. They rushed to the unrealistic and unbelievable ending.

Not to be picky, but they could have spent an extra 15 minutes to teach them to ice a cupcake. That was ridiculous.

Don't waste your time.

Terrible casting

[karenow-47364 · 3/10 · 26 July 2023]

The worst casting I've ever seen! The lead (Abigail) looked like she was about 16, while the "Prince" looked 35. He acted downright creepy around her, too. Her best friend also looked much too old to be Abigail's best friend. The parents looked to be in their late 60's, and should have been the grandparents of Abigail.

The brother was also a creepy dweeb and the Prince's assistant should have been an older man. The words coming out of his mouth might have had some seriousness then.

The story was another rehash of "royal prince falls in love with American girl". You never see this plot the other way around, do you?

The interaction between the sourpuss girl and the leering prince was downright uncomfortable to watch.

A familiar story with a cast that matters

[david-thor · 6 November 2022]

It was nice to hear about, and finally watch, what Fred Olen Ray was filming in our village (East Aurora, NY). Sticking to a tried-and-true formula of "Prince Comes to America and Falls In Love", including bits of area footage of his earlier film "A Price For Christmas", Ray and his team put together a good cast and a comfortable story, with characters worth caring about, on a fledgling network that appears to be accumulating Hallmark talent and movies, which is just fine with me - it's nice to find movies that are worth watching more than once. As far as Hallmark is concerned, they seem to be going into more contemporary stories, whereas the Great American Family channel seems to be more interested in traditional programming; both have their place.

Ice Skate Your Way To a Christmas Vibe

[AJBlack1627 · 10/10 · 12 November 2022]

**Plot synopsis contains spoilers.**

Our introduction to Abigail (Abby) is one that we can empathize and sympathize with, and she strikes everyone as a tough yet resilient professional.

As we're introduced to Prince John watching hockey and getting so worked up, we see, "Ah, this is how they'll meet!" But we also learn about how he feels so removed from the royal line as one of the youngest sons. He is easy to relate to as well, wanting something of his own to do. Marshall is clearly a trusted friend, not just employee of the Prince.

John and Abigail both show a lot of individualism. They have goals and plan to meet them, obstacles aside.

John and Abigail skating together for the first time is sweet, and John especially seems to feel the chemistry. Abigail's matchmaking mom and friend only have her best interests at heart. She and John complement each other well, he softens her rough edges, and she helps to focus him.

With the ice rink at risk for sale to be used as another type of building, Abby is even more determined to have a successful show. It pushes her to join the show herself and face some of her fears after her injury/embarrassment.

John showed a lot of humility in being the one to make the first move toward reconciliation after his outing of being a prince, and he demonstrated his priorities were all for Abby.

The "Darling of Evanston" pulled off a beautiful performance at the end, and John in his full Prince regalia added to a fulfilling finale for the audience both at the rink and in real life.

I enjoyed this movie. Some of the acting could've been better in places, but overall, a fun and relaxing story you can get into a Christmas mood with. Lots of aspects of Christmas movies people enjoy with the royal plot line (not my fave but I know many enjoy), ice skating, town is at risk in some way, two people meeting and falling in love from different worlds, and beautiful decorations/festive enviroment.

Really?

[marlow-26356 · 1/10 · 5 December 2022]

This was probably the worst Christmas movie I've ever seen. I would find myself being embarrassed for the cast.

Abigail was a pretty girl but strange. Very negative and snarly. Obviously, her glass was halfway empty.

The scene when she is skating and just holding her arm out with a slow turn and John clapping for her was pretty bad.

John was nice looking but when he would smile his smile at her with the look in his eyes, it was freaky. In real life I would think he was a stalker and was making evil plans. Her ex boyfriend was just thrown in a couple of times, for what reason I have no idea.

In fact, the entire movie was like that, not really ever running smoothly. Throwing in a hamburger- peppermint casserole didn't help at all.

If this is an example of new Christmas movies, it's not anything to look forward to.

God bless it, I think sometimes it could be the right move to not accept the part if offered.

Junior High level acting

[rayke · 2/10 · 25 December 2022]

Seriously... I had high hopes for this movie, but the acting is horrendous, especially the ex-boyfriend. Abby, while very pretty, scowls and frowns throughout much of the movie. Not a trait you would really want in a love interest. Marshall, his aid, Roger the brother, and the Queen are all horribly miscast. When I say junior high level acting, it's exactly what I mean. The only play that I ever participated in it was in Junior high school, and I was so bad that even my family begged me not to do another play. I was horrible, and so is this movie! Just the way I see it, and I normally enjoy all holiday movies.

decent

[Kirpianuscus · 12 November 2023]

First, the presence in cast of William Baldwin was the attraction to see this film who uses, again , old image of the prince , incognito, in Unied States, for an ambitious project , becoming, again, off course, so predictable, victim of Cupidon.

But the story just works, in decent and, for few scenes, just beautiful manner and this fact real matters.

A good detail - the good humor, skating and friendship and the gentle shadows of depression and new chance as gift.

Not great, not memorable but that pleasant Hallmark far to be boring or silly.

In fact, all being so predictable , it becomes just the old story repeated for new encounter . And it sounds not so bad, honestely.

Probably not the best way to judge other movies by GAC

[Mjakcda-292-3094 · 1/10 · 14 December 2022]

I was hopeful and expecting a little repetitive storyline, I mean how many ways can you spin prince running away...) But agree with others in that I felt there was not a single redeeming quality portrayed in the main character, you can only take love at first sight so far. I would have turned it off after the first 30 minutes but kept expecting a plot twist or something. What was the pushy ex all about? Why was this prince so into someone that would not even give him the time of day? Why couldn't the hockey team play and have her teach during off times. So much animosity over nothing! Waste of time and money to film this. I am sure this home town was hoping for some great portrayal of their town but I did not even come away with a great feeling for wanted to live there. I came away thinking this was a rush job and most of the content must have been cut out or at least I hope so for the writers sake.

A predictable romantic comedy

[lisafordeay · 4/10 · 15 December 2022]

A Royal Christmas on Ice is a 2022 made for TV movie starring AnnamarieDobbins,Jonathan Stoddard and William Baldwin. The story is about a handsome British prince named John(Stoddard) who escapes his Palace life for America and falls for a former Olympic skater named Abigail Simpson(Dobbins). But will Abigail skate again and learn the real truth about John?. Overall it was a thoroughly predictable film from start to finish. Every single Christmas without fail we have a Harry and Meghan styled film where you've got a British Prince(Harry) who falls for an American (Meghan) and they fall in love and live happily ever after. One of the gripes I had with this film was hearing Jonathan Stoddard switching his accent from British to American to British again.

It's not set in New York, it's Chicago

[srachitsky · 4/10 · 14 July 2023]

I'm only giving this review because I thought it was kind of funny how the description of this movie is that it says based in New York. But when Prince John flies into America. He lands in Chicago as you can see the Chicago skyline. I'm not even like 20 minutes in. I just thought it was kind of ridiculous. The town that he drives to by recommendation by his business partner aka Billy Baldwin is Evanston Illinois as well. I saw a review on how some scenes from this movie may have been filmed in New York, but this movie is based and set in Chicago not New York!!!!! Watch the plane flying in as you see the skyline including Sears tower also known as Wilson Tower. You definitely do not see the New York skyline including the Empire State building or anything such! I would have given or at least started with a much better rating for this movie, but whoever made this mistake is dumb!!!! This is not on the characters either as I feel more for them for this colossal mistake!!!!

This movie has it all!

[mattmapker · 10/10 · 7 January 2023]

I watched this movie because I love ice skating and Billy Baldwin. He rocks in it. This movie is about love. A prince who loves hockey decides to buy a hockey team. But first he has to ask his business partner played by Billy Baldwin how to do it. He ends up going to a small town and smashing the cake of Abby. One time, Olympic hopeful finger skater. She doesn't like him at first because the cake is smushed but he buys a new one and is too charming and ripped for her to resist. Their love story is happy one but filled with some sad moments. It's a great Christmas Romance and the skating is awesome. Would recommend this if you love ice skating and hilarious parts. The dad makes a scene where he makes a hamburger, candy cane casserole. I couldn't believe it. I don't want to say much more but take my word for it you will love it.

We have already watched this 3x.

[relaxwithswann · 10/10 · 26 November 2022]

We just saw this sweet Christmas movie, A Royal Christmas on Ice 2022, on TubiTV. Loved it! Will the Prince really find someone special to love, while having the opportunity of helping others as well? How nice to see a cute story that the whole family can enjoy without having to edit it or try to explain it, and teaching the importance of giving too. And what fun it was to see Western New York being used, not only for the quaint, beautiful scenery, but for the people as well. We enjoyed it so much that we have already seen it three times. I hope to see a sequel coming up in the future...who knows, maybe next Christmas?

Worst movie ever

[brotsoph · 30 December 2023]

The acting was terrible, overall the whole movie was terrible. Hours on my life wasted.

Abby smiled one in the whole movie even when she was supposed to be "happy" she was completely miserable and always found something to complain about, hate and even hold grudges on. Chad was a meaning less character that holds no importance in this movie.

Abby was supposed to be an Olympic figure skater, all she could do was stand on the ice an jester her hand to the people, wait that's not true she also don a slow little curve on the ice and John claimed she was the best skater ever. Even at the end John was supposed to skate with Abby and he never did. They just stood there.

This was one on the worst movies I have ever watched.