8-Bit Christmas

8-Bit Christmas

In suburban Chicago during the late 1980s, ten-year-old Jake Doyle embarks on a herculean quest to get the latest and greatest video game system for Christmas.

  • Released: 2021-11-24
  • Runtime: 98 minutes
  • Genre: Comedy, Family
  • Stars: Neil Patrick Harris, Winslow Fegley, June Diane Raphael, David Cross, Steve Zahn, Jacob Laval, Santino Barnard, Jackson Reid, Chandler Dean, Johnathan'tae Sturgess, Cyrus Arnold, Sophia Reid-Gantzert, Bellaluna Resnick
  • Director: Michael Dowse
 Comments
  • goopkat-177-801894 - 20 December 2022
    I dunno
    Felt cliché and kinda mean. Some things were nostalgic and accurate, but the comedy is pretty much just about being crappy to each other.

    The clothes and asthetic were okay, but more what I think people imagine this time was like, instead of actually being what it was like.

    The way the characters treat each other is the worst, though. They're all in it for themselves, a dog gets squished, there's almost no kindness, and the parents are like an afterthought.

    This was just not for me. I know all is not sunshine and rainbows, and kids can be pretty mean, but this movie forces meanness into places it didn't need to be.
  • southdavid - 17 March 2022
    Mario is Missing!
    Admittedly, it's a little after the ideal time of year to be watching a film like "8 Bit Christmas", it being mid-march, but it is on the Sky Planner still and, as there are several crossovers in the film with other aspects of my interests, I thought I'd give it a go. I thought that it was, perhaps, a touch slight - but was generally entertaining enough to keep me interested.

    Whilst his daughter campaigns for her own phone for Christmas, Jake Doyle (Neil Patrick Harris) recounts the story of how he got his prized Christmas present back in the 80's, his Nintendo Entertainment System. As a child, Jake (Winslow Fegley) was one of a number of kids that flocked to the house of the only boy in town that had one. Deciding that he must get his own, Jake embarks on a number of schemes to try and secure one, in time for the big day.

    Happily, for a film with a large cast of child actors, I didn't find any of their performances particularly off putting. Especially not the lead, Winslow Fegley, who keeps his put upon character on the right side of whiny, to keep the audience on side. The principle adult performers, June Diane Raphael, Steve Zahn and Neil Patrick Harris are all good too. There's also a cameo from David Cross

    The story is OK, it's essentially a group of shorter stories, each revolving around a particular scheme to get access to a Nintendo that are thwarted as we head towards a typically (for the season) heart-warming finale. There are some fantasy elements in there, and the odd moment of mild grossout comedy, including one moment that I thought might be unforgiveable, but fortunately the film then backs away from, but generally it's a very family friendly experience.

    I doubt I'll recollect much about it in a fortnight or so, but you can certainly do a lot worse for a couple of hours entertainment.