Deck the Halls

This holiday comedy is centered around two neighbours in a small New England town who go to war when one of them decides to decorate his house with a so many Christmas lights that they are visible from space. The neighbourhood is turned upside down as the families try to discover the true meaning of Christmas.

For family fun and entertainment this film brings out the true spirit of the season. Once you get over how short Danny DeVito is you realise that you recognise the story taken from every Christmas episode of Tim the Tool Mans’ Home Improvement.

 

Even so this picture is well worth a Christmas afternoon with your Nan and niece and nephews. Watching the lights come alive and the ridiculous and constant ways in which DeVito’s neighbour Matthew Broderick becomes the Dick Dastardly to the affair.

The neighbour has a right to be annoyed, formally looked upon as the towns Mr. Christmas this foreigner in his world has changed the whole tradition of Christmas. Adding side plots of a teenage daughter who is growing up, and following the new neighbours two hot twins for dates and his world is collapsing around him.

However DiVitos’ character is not a saint in all this. He has a former model girlfriend and a gift to sell ice to an Eskimo but never feels happy in what he is doing, forcing constant moves for him and his family. Finally thinking he has found his niche and place in the world putting up lights the war with the neighbour starts to affect the whole family, and eventually the wives decide they have had enough. Of course this is Christmas and everything will always end with a happy ending.

All in all a great reworking of the Odd Couple which will lighten the mood on Christmas day.

DVD Extras

-Commentary by Director and Danny DeVito

-Several ‘Making of’ features

-Interviews 

-Deleted Scenes

-Out-takes