Once Upon A Christmas (2000)

Model Kathy Ireland stars as Kristen Claus, the daughter of Santa Claus, out to prove to his father that there is still Christmas spirit out there in this troubled world. She also pays a visit to the Morgan Family and befriends them. While Ireland might be a gorgeous and kind lady, she couldn't act much, as she hardly shows any serious emotion. John Dye, who plays Bill Morgan, also didn't have an acting performance that blew me away. Much of the plot is dull and a drag - too much sappy and happy-go-lucky stuff, but nothing suspenseful or attention grabbing. There is also not much character chemistry and not very likable characters, especially the spoiled, cocky kid Kyle Morgan (James Morgan), whom you wish Ireland would just run over with with the reindeer. Feel free to overlook this movie if you're looking for some good Christmas-themed entertainment.Grade D

This is one of my favorite movies of all time!! It is family-friendly and the characters are magical and fun. I wish Kathy Ireland was in more movies. I also liked John Dye and Mary Haskel Donnelly. It is hard to find a movie that is clean-cut these days. I like the special effects because they are not overdone, just enough to suspend disbelief. I watch this movie and the sequel even when it's not Christmas--it perks me up.Movies about Santa and his family are many, but this one stands out. Santa's village and castle look fun, magical, and not too much like a set. Rudolfa is so funny and evil at the same time! I recommend this film to all true Christmas-lovers!

You've heard of "King Midas In Reverse"? Kathy Ireland is Orson Welles in reverse - meaning to say the swimsuit model-cum-actress-cum-designer-cum-Christian's never done a movie as BAD as her debut ("Alien From L.A."). "Once Upon A Christmas" continues this tradition, though not alas for lack of trying.This TV movie is based on the premise that Santa Claus has become disillusioned with his day job, what with so many naughty people in the world and anti-Kringle websites ("Jingle bells, Santa smells..."); but his good-hearted daughter Kristin (Kathy, but who else?) still feels there's a chance for December 25, so she agrees to try and change the mind of the Morgans, with the future of Yuletide at stake. But the father (John Dye) is business-minded, his children are avaricious and intent on getting rid of every potential substitute mum, and their uncle (Wayne Thomas Yorke, in the movie's best performance) is hardly the ideal guardian. Plus our heroine's sister is little more than the Grinch in human form...All of which could, in better hands, have proven to be a decent little seasonal movie; it certainly has good intentions on its side, and isn't too shameless in its pitch for the "Touched By An Angel" audience (I knew John Dye had been on it, and I bet myself that Kathy had also been alongside Roma Downey at one point. I was right). But better writing and directing (Steven H. Berman and Tibor Takacs respectively) would have helped, with the amusing earlier scenes at the North Pole wiped out by the poorly handled climax; decent special effects - Kathy's sleigh ride makes "Superboy" look good - and child actors who can actually act wouldn't have gone amiss either. For a movie that's supposed to be about restoring the Christmas spirit, this is fairly low on spirit itself; it's never really as heartwarming as it should be, and depressingly short on humour as well (the villain gets surprisingly little time, with the emphasis on the family).Kathy Ireland is, however, endearing (as well as looking a treat throughout - as the credits point out, "Special Thanks to The Kathy Ireland Signature Collection"), and the movie is more bearable than "Ernest Saves Christmas" or the "Miracle on 34th Street" remake. It would be nice to think that the sequel ("Twice Upon A Christmas") is an improvement, but I'm not holding my breath. (For those wondering why this is good for royalists, a certain Edward Wessex is one of the executive producers. Well, he has to do something...)

A sweet and entertaining film of faith and love. Faith that there is good in people's hearts that sometimes gets lost on the road that we call life. Santa's youngest daughter won't let Christmas be canceled and turned over to her jaded older sister. Peace and love will prevail and kids will learn the meaning of trust--real trust. An excellent film for the whole family to watch. Kathy Ireland is very sincere in her portrayal of Kristin Klaus. John Dye is both vulnerable and hard to reach as Bill Morgan. Mary Donnelley Haskell is incorrigible as Rudolpha and a delight to watch in her wicked machinations. Once again we are reminded of the healing power of love.