Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Funny Christmas tale has feel-good themes for families.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this comical special has a little something for viewers of all ages, from darling little elves and festive Christmas scenery for kids to a funny slant on holiday-induced family drama for grown-ups. You don't have to have seen the original Prep & Landing to enjoy this story, although it doesn't hurt to know the history behind Wayne and Lanny's partnership. There are a few scenes with weapons -- if you can call glitter-blasting ornament grenades and a gift-wrap gun "weapons." Sweet messages about weathering the storm with family are a big part of the story, so you'll walk away from watching with a warm fuzzy in your heart.

  • The story is meant as entertainment, but there are some uplifting take-aways about family bonds and being a role model. It also offers an imaginative look at the behind-the-scenes activity that makes Santa's job possible.
  • Estranged brothers address long-held differences and re-establish a relationship. A child's wrongdoing is forgiven thanks to her honesty and her willingness to improve. Co-workers must learn to set aside their differences and accomplish the task at hand for the sake of others.
  • Some characters display a willingness to recognize their shortcomings and change their ways. The story touches on the definition of a role model and the responsibilities that accompany that position.
  • Nothing that resembles a real weapon, but an elf packs a gun made of gift wrap and candy canes, another is pummeled by foam ammo from a child's toy, and a grenade made from an ornament erupts in billowing glitter.

What's the story?

The countdown to Christmas has begun, and the North Pole is a flurry of activity as the hardworking residents prepare for Santa's big night ... but a security breach threatens the integrity of the Naughty and Nice Lists and puts the elves on high alert. The experienced prep team of Lanny (voiced by Derek Richardson) and Wayne (Dave Foley) is called in to infiltrate the unidentified hacker's home and retrieve the classified conduct calculator before "Jinglesmell1337" can transfer her name from the Naughty List to the Nice one. As an extra precaution, the elves must team up with a Naughty Kid expert, who turns out to be Wayne's estranged younger brother, Noel (Rob Riggle). Mixing work and family is never a good idea, and for these new co-workers, being together could just jeopardize the mission -- and Christmas itself.


Is it any good?

 

Elfin odd couple Lanny and Wayne return for more mayhem in this original interpretation of the behind-the-scenes work behind the biggest holiday of the year. Once again Wayne has his eye on a work-related accolade -- the "Elf of the Year" award -- and once again he finds himself surrounded by less-than-enviable coworkers whom he fears might cost him his chance. This time his predicament is complicated by a family entanglement as well, and a long-held resentment comes to a head just as the clock ticks down on Christmas Eve.
 

It's not easy to present a truly original Christmas story, but PREP & LANDING: NAUGHTY VS. NICE manages it with ease. Maybe you've never given any thought to the interface and motherboards it takes to monitor the Naughty and Nice Lists or what happens when the Coal Elf Brigade visits the houses of those Naughty Kids, but you'll certainly mull it over after watching this laugh-out-loud holiday special. And you're bound to be brimming with Christmas spirit by the end, thanks to the heartwarming messages about the ties that bind family and loved ones, even as their presence at the holidays can strike a nerve or two.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about relationships. Kids: How well do you get along with your siblings or close friends? Are there issues that arise that often lead to squabbles? How do you handle them? Have you ever had a problem with someone that you weren't able to resolve?

  • Kids: What do you like about this story's image of the North Pole and its residents? How does this movie's take on Christmas differ from that of other holiday specials you've seen? 

  • How do TV shows, movies, and music relate to your family's holiday traditions? Do you have different rules about media use this time of year or at any other special times? What are your standard rules about TV? Why do your parents establish rules like these?


This review was written by Emily Ashby
Adult
December 5, 2011
 
good
me and my younger brother just finished watching this and it was the perfect holiday treat for both of us so i say give it a try

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
December 21, 2011
 
Christmas sequel that's just as good as the original!
I've seen this on ABC Family and it's just as good as its predecessor. It has the same great animations, characters that are fun to watch, and great plotline. It's really good for families and has a positive message about righting your wrongs and the importance of family and friends. Violence: The naughty kid, dressed in a mask, may look mildly scary to the youngest kids, and at one point, it looks as if Christmas is going to be ruined for all the children in the world. Sex: Nothing other than a brief kiss between 2 elves. Consumerism: Sequel of popular Christmas special, "Prep And Landing" and kids who haven't seen it might want to see it after watching this, and some product placement, like the Disney princesses, Mickey Mouse, and the song "I'm gettin' nothing for Christmas" is played at one point.

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Kid, 11 years old
January 11, 2012
 
S T U P I D S H O W F O R 5 +

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Teen, 16 years old
February 29, 2012
 
Not bad,BUT the first Prep & Landing is better.
This Christmas special was OK.It is not terrible.Nor is it a masterpiece.It's very funny and colorful,BUT I prefer the first Prep & Landing.

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This review was written by Emily Ashby
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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