Christmas Island (II) (2023 TV Movie) User Reviews

Nova Scotia

[Jackbv123 · 8/10 · 12 November 2023]

Andrew W. Walker is usually pretty reliable in Hallmark movies, Christmas or not and this is no exception. I have liked Rachel Skarsten since Marry Me at Christmas. She may have a bit of an Ice Queen reputation, but once you see through that, it is easy to like her. She is definitely not bubbly like some, but I see the inner emotions from her.

I always like kids in Christmas movies and we get a double dose in this one. A teen and one a little younger. They are an important part of the movie, but unlike many Christmas movies, they do not bond strongly with either romantic lead. This movie is a little unusual for a romantic Christmas movie in that there is an entire family totally unrelated to the romantic leads and they are central to the story.

We start with the uppity rich people and spoiled teen, but the rich people aren't nearly as arrogant as they could be or as often portrayed in these movies. Likewise the spoiled teen.

The story proceeds as usual through Christmas activities. There is a nice development toward the end worth an awe or two.

The acting is good. The dialogue is natural although not exceptionally witty. Walker and Skarsten have chemistry.

Warm and Meaningful

[rgilkison-61237 · 7/10 · 14 November 2023]

Truly a heart-warming story well worth an attentive watch. The message here from the citizens of Christmas Island is how gratifying it is to share of one's self with others - what most of us who celebrate the spirit of Christmas wish to experience. There's no cliches, "wow" moments, or fluff in this story. My only knock was the story was a little slow to unfold. Once it did, you witness the Sharpe couple realize their financial success has come at a price of sacrificing their other talents, and their teenage daughter learns that she could accomplish wonders "offline", and become more empathetic to her little brother by reading a letter to Santa. Andrew Walker, one of Hallmark's finest, enhances this cast, and he, along with his fellow citizens, lead the visitors, Kate (the pilot) and the Sharpe's to rediscover joy and romance.

Exceptional Christmas Movie

[Jrsny1 · 8/10 · 12 November 2023]

Most of the Christmas movies so far this year have been embarrassingly poor. Leave it to Andrew Walker to turn that around fast. This is a good, old fashioned, feel good, Christmas movie about family, friends and the unique magic of the Christmas season. Always with Andrew Walker, the magic starts with him. He is an exceptional actor that brings to his roles a down to earth honesty, a genuine caring you can feel throughout the movies he acts in. In Christmas movies, maybe more so. You just want someone like him in your life....and if you are really lucky, during the Christmas season. He is the real deal. His acting seems effortless. Along with him, in this movie, all the other actors, from top to bottom, the father, Christmas Island family, the "stranded lost family"...the town...all bring tangible warmth and caring to their roles. You want to stay in this town. You want to spend Christmas with all of these people. You want Christmas to be like their Christmas. What more could you want from a Christmas movie.

This is one of the best Christmas movies, so far in 2023...and even more ...for the last few years.

Good acting, memorable story, shame about the attire

[onthewatchlist · 7/10 · 1 January 2024]

Memorable little Christmas romantic movie. Good chemistry between the couple. You could feel a twinge in the heart strings when Oliver was breaking the news to Kate about the weather.

Only gripe is that the production could have paid more attention to the setting. They went all out with the decorations, but forgot about the weather. Christmas Eve in Nova Scotia and you have folks in autumnwear? I know filming was done in August, but it wouldn't have hurt to dress the actors in timeline-appropriate gear. It gets to me when filmmakers don't put in the details that aid the believability of the story.

And it sure doesn't look like the weather is terrible enough to ground all flights for 3 days. I had to suspend my disbelief throughout all the outdoor scenes.

Once Upon a Time, a California pilot who loves her job fell for a guy who won't fly and lives 3,000 miles away in a tiny town in another country

[MichaelByTheSea · 7/10 · 13 November 2023]

Rachel Skarsten starred in "The Royal Nanny", one of last year's best Hallmark Christmas movies. She also lit up a sweet alternate reality Hallmark movie called "Timeless Love". Here, she plays a private pilot named Kate who's hired to fly a wealthy family from L. A. to Switzerland. Bad weather (which we never see) forces her to divert the plane to Christmas Island (population 83) in Nova Scotia where she meets Oliver, played by Hallmark All-Star Andrew Walker. He's the air traffic controller who told her to divert to Canada after criticizing her for joking around.

They're at odds initially but, as Kate and the family are forced to stay longer than planned (again, without any obvious bad weather), Kate and Oliver realize they really like each other. So, after 4 life changing days together, Kate quits her job, moves from California to Christmas Island, marries Oliver, and gets a job making Christmas cookies (when she's not volunteering at the pet shelter and planning next year's tree lighting festival).

Just kidding. She doesn't actually quit her job. And Oliver is scared of flying and refuses to fly anywhere. But the question Drew Barrymore asked in the movie "Ever After" ("A bird may love a fish...but where would they live?) is not answered here. We are just asked to enjoy the insta-love between two very appealing and attractive characters without being bothered by any of the pesky details of.... Life.

Fortunately, Skarsten and Walker have lots of chemistry and it's easy to root for them. It's also satisfying to watch the family (comprised of busy parents running a clothing empire, a disgruntled teen, and a boy who still believes in Santa) appreciate spending more time together and experiencing Christmas traditions they haven't valued in recent years.

The actors are all effective and this is the kind of Christmas comfort food that viewers tune in to Hallmark to see. It's also worth noting that, after watching literally hundreds of Hallmark movies, I don't recall one featuring a pilot who falls for an air traffic controller. Something new in a Hallmark movie needs to be acknowledged and appreciated. Unfortunately, my least favorite trope, the "almost kiss" makes yet another unwelcome appearance, no doubt delighting whoever had that on their Hallmark drinking game bingo card.

Enjoyable To Watch & Good Cast

[lisamlaucsr · 9/10 · 13 November 2023]

I'm always on board for an Andrew Walker holiday romcom (My Christmas Family Tree) and this one doesn't disappoint. Kate (Rachel Skarsten) is a pilot who's just been given a shot at her dream job, piloting a wealthy family to Switzerland. Poor weather requires them to make an unexpected stop at a Nova Scotia town called Christmas Island, where air traffic controller Oliver (Walker) and his father, sister and nephew reside. It is here that we find out more about what everyone's deal is.

What I enjoyed most was that it wasn't strictly the usual plot line of will they or won't they. Sure, there was that, but the secondary storylines of the wealthy couple (Jefferson Brown and Kate Drummond), their two children and Oliver's family were just as interesting, to me. It was great seeing Good Witch's Peter MacNeil and Virgin River's Lauren Hammersley in supporting roles. This movie was a really good ensemble effort, which I think Hallmark does well and should do more often. The storylines were interesting and the cast was very good. Highly recommended.

Christmas Island is worth the visit

[allmoviesfan · 6/10 · 29 November 2023]

No matter who is co-star is - and there have been some very good ones - Andrew Walker is such a surefire bet for Hallmark. Has he ever made a bad movie for them? I don't think so. He is great here with Rachel Skarsten.

Christmas Island tells the story of a VIP jet pilot (Skarsten's Captain Kate Gabriel) and the family she is flying to Europe for Christmas ending up getting waylaid at Christmas Island in Nova Scotia. Enter Walker's Oliver, playing the town's air traffic controller.

It turns out that Christmas Island is like your standard small town that you know well from multiple Hallmark movies, so all the old tropes are there...just on an island. Still, Walker's performance makes the cliches seem less cliched.

Aside from the inevitable romance between Kate and Oliver - their chemistry is good, so that's a box ticked - there is a good message in this movie about time spent with family during the holidays.

Another Christmas Fave!

[JaneU2143 · 10/10 · 14 November 2023]

If you a lover of Hallmark Christmas Movies, this one of the best!

I watch at least 20 per Christmas Season from November through the Holidays on the usual channels; Hallmark (all 3 channels ) and the Lifetime Channel.

These movies are always heartwarming and put me in the Christmas Spirit.

This movie was adorable ! The chemistry between the leads (Andrew Walker - my personal FAVOURITE Actor) and Rachel Skarsten was cute.

The story was certainly a new one ! A High Strung Famous LA Family getting stranded on Christmas Island via a Storm while flying in their private jet. Their Pilot? KATE (Rachel Skarsten) on her 1st trip in her new job as a private pilot. No spoilers here.

This movie was actually filmed in the place that it purported to be ! It was not filmed in Nova Scotia pretending to be Maine but filmed in Nova Scotia and they got stranded on Christmas Island, Nova Scotia!

I always rate my Hallmark Movies by if they give me goosebumps or make me tear up from Christmas happiness. This had both :)

This was a really Cute movie and a 10!

Unintentional humor at the end

[cincy-47983 · 7/10 · 14 November 2023]

Setting aside the highly improbable circumstances this was actually a fun movie. The locale and area shots added a lot. Well acted and filmed.

BUT...first if the family and their plane were grounded for all of that time due to bad weather then why was the weather so accommodating for all of that time so they could explore the town and area. It would have been more plausible if the plane simply had mechanical issues.

Then the ending. Really Hallmark? We actually laughed out loud it was so bad. The lead couple resolved nothing other than having fun feelings for each other. She now has her dream job which is based elsewhere and he isn't about to pack up and leave the island so, again nothing was resolved and in all probability the relationship is doomed

Hallmark...you really need to hire someone to conduct reality checks on your films.

If you know anything about pilots and ATC, avoid this

[fluffyfour · 1/10 · 4 January 2024]

Now, I know one is supposed to suspend logic and reality when one watches this type of film, but there are limits, and this crosses them totally.

Firstly, every pilot seems to be a Captain. Not sure why. Secondly, if you get to be a pilot, let alone Captain, you have considerable knowledge and experience, and you know ATC is responsible for everyone's safety, so you wouldn't joke around like a child in a bus!

Her colleague also is rude and ignorant, with no idea of the importance of teamwork, and she is apparently also employed to serve hot chocolate in take-away cups to private jet clients!

I despair! Not for me - and not for anyone else who has any knowledge of flying! Truly one of the worst films I've ever had the misfortune to see.

Loved the scenery

[glocync · 9/10 · 12 November 2023]

I liked this movie. The backdrop of Nova Scotia was beautiful. The story line was not the usual, but a little far fetched.

But, I kept thinking of the co-pilot. The family and pilot got to stay in the mayor's house for days because there was no room at the inn while the co-pilot bunkered down in the plane at the airport? What about heat and food?

They did a good job of showing the sites of the area. And the food. Mmmn lobster. Travel Nova Scotia will probably get an uptick. I hate these foul up in Hallmark movies. Like the ones where someone travels with one little suitcase, but manages to have dozens of change of wardrobe.

Poorly designed

[qchgzhgv · 3/10 · 13 November 2023]

I liked this movie. It's Captain Kate's first job as a new charter pilot. She needs to get her new clients the very rich and demanding Sharps to Switzerland for a business meeting/vacation. Bad weather interferes with the flight, and they have to be grounded in Nova Scotia in a snowstorm. The reason for this three star review is the poorly executed premise that they are stranded in a SNOWSTORM in Nova Scotia in December. In every outside scene there are about three flakes of snow the weather almost sunny, and the actors are running around with their coats open, no hats no gloves and there's no apparent snow storm. It's just poorly done.

Chemistry is off the scale

[MickyG333 · 9/10 · 4 December 2023]

8.9 stars.

Here is why this is my bread and butter Hallmark type of story. First, we have two leads that I love to pieces, in every film they are sure to entertain. They are a most pleasant surprise in 'Christmas Island'. Skarsten was in a film where she's a nanny for the royal family, I think it's called 'The Royal Nanny'. I loved her in that, but also in a couple others she really shines. Probably just the fact I find her very attractive, the perfect type for me. She is a first class lady, and after seeing this, I'm moving her up a few slots into my top 3 Hallmark gals. And Mr. Walker, he knows how to elicit a hearty laugh or a tearful eye. He is one of the best leading men of the whole Hallmark franchise.

In the beginning of this story his character Oliver is a real grinchy sort, but that's only because he's in a bad mood and takes his job as air traffic controller very seriously (a bit too much). Kate, as a pilot, is actually the more fun-loving character, eager to be friendly, poke a joke, be silly, but he did not reciprocate initially. After they get to know each other, feelings and impressions change rapidly and the mutual attraction becomes electric.

I'd rate this in the top five steamy romances (Hallmark style of course), even though it's not "steamy" per se, but very stimulating if you know what I mean. These two have a way with each other. He feels she is the best thing since sliced bread, and she feels the same, but she is responsible for flying a wealthy family to Europe as soon as the weather clears, so it's difficult for them to get invested in this new romance.

The story is developed further and explores the relationships of this rich family that Kate is piloting across the Atlantic. Their characters are well developed and very likable. The boy is too young and amateur an actor, however the daughter is an absolute delight and well on her way to serious stardom if she maintains this level of performance. The parents are both endearing and charismatic. The whole cast is amazing and the synergy is undeniable. It's impossible not to fall in love with every personality on 'Christmas Island', including Oliver's sister (the mayor) and father (post office manager).

What an exceedingly rich and entertaining film, but above all else, just a wonderfully sappy love story that really hits your heart in all the right places. As always, with my favorites of the faves, it speaks for itself and is one of the best Hallmarks of 2023. I am happy to say it out-performed 'Santa Summit' and anticipate the only contender will be 'Biltmore Christmas', which I'm going to save for later (best for last). If Hallmark keeps with this trend, 2023 will be the best lineup ever.

This might just be the perfect Hallmark Christmas movie

[SPCFan927 · 10/10 · 10 December 2023]

Just finished watching this wonderful Hallmark movie & I believe this might just be the PERFECT Hallmark Christmas movie. Is it predictable? Yes. Is it schmaltzy? Yes; but it's not exactly a "cookie-cutter" movie either. It did have everything I want in a holiday movie & I'm happy to see them (for once) NOT making Canada a stand-in for America. It's to see Nova Scotia being Nova Scotia. The acting is superb & I was very impressed by the child actors especially. They & the whole cast seemed like a real family. Seeing Peter MacNeill in anything makes me smile. Definitely a must watch every year now!

Grounded in a fishing town named Christmas Island, will they all find Christmas?

[cgvsluis · 5/10 · 14 November 2023]

I come from a small fishing town in the Pacific Northwest, we have a statue for those lost at sea and every few years we have our own 3-d tree made with crab pots, so I loved the addition of buoys for those lost at sea. I also really appreciated the answering of kids letters to Santa with a postmark from Christmas Island. I enjoyed watching Rachel Skarsten for the first time in last year's Royal Nanny (2022) and thought she really knocked that character out of the park. In Christmas Island, she plays Kate Gabriel a pilot who aspires to be a private pilot doing international flights. On her first private flight...a test drive for a permanent position with the lifestyle guru's the Smith's as they take their family to Switzerland for Christmas. Unfortunately things go awry and their plane is diverted and grounded in Canada close to a town called Christmas Island. With both parents busy working Kate, who hasn't celebrated Christmas in years, is assigned to bring Christening to their kids and for that she needs help... Oliver MacLeod played by the incomparable and handsome Andrew W. Walker. Oliver sets it upon himself the bring Christmas to Kate.

I appreciated some of the themes in this holiday hallmark romance, but the largest story arc...the romance between the air traffic controller afraid to fly and the pilot...well, I think they could have used a little more focus. Which is unfortunate because I think Andrew Walker could have chemistry with cardboard, and Rachel Skarsten is not too shabby herself. Not a recommendation to any but the hard core hallmark fans.

Cute movie with a different storyline

[mblake-62426 · 9/10 · 26 November 2023]

Fun different storyline. A female pilot getting stranded. It IS kind of like ALL the movies where cars are breaking down leaving passengers stranded while a cute mechanic fixes the car and waits for parts, but it's different enough.

I like how she knew how to fix his truck. Instead of him being the one to fix it.

The Sharp family. I love how there's a snobby uncomfortable rich family.

The dialogue is great. Well written script. Flows well. Very believable acting.

The main actor has fun with his acting. He's cute.

Rachel Skarsten is delightful to watch. She is a wonderful actress. She's great at portraying different emotions, the proper emotions for each scene. She's so cute.

The couple has cute chemistry. It's not sparks-a-flyin chemistry, but it's cute.

The cheesy music when they first kissed was too much. It should have just been a sweet simple kiss. The music sounds like it was the end of some epic love story, which it was not.

Just ok...

[PeterMovie61 · 13 November 2023]

6 stars

This has the elements to make a good movie, including top actors and excellent scenery.

Yet, it was ultimately rather dull.

It was not a clunker, hence 6 stars, but it did not hold my interest.

The characters lacked chemistry and the "poor rich" family did not set up the audience for a breakthrough of joy at Christmas. It's not relatable for the audience to see a family on a private jet; something most viewers will never experience.

The scenery was beautiful but without witty or emotional banter, it came across as sterile, dry and without flavor. Fine actors did not save the dull story line.