Jackson Booth-Millard The first Nativity film was a worthwhile enough Christmas movie for all the family, I had a feeling that any sequel that may follow would not work as well, and I was correct, with critics giving it pretty low marks, directed by Debbie Isitt (Confetti). Basically anxious teacher (David Tennant) has moved house with his pregnant wife Sarah (Gavin & Stacey's Joanna Page), he accepts a teaching job at St. Bernadette's primary school. He is taking over the class of former teacher Mr. Maddens, who now lives in America, enthusiastic and child-like teaching assistant Mr. Desmond Poppy (Marc Wootton) has been teaching the class unaided. The class want to enter a competition called "A Song for Christmas", in which schools take part to produce a Christmas song, with a prize of £10,000 and a chance to be Christmas Number One. However headmistress Mrs. Bevan (Pam Ferris) refuses the class permission to enter without a qualified teacher, she thinks no teacher will stay in the job due to the inappropriate behaviour of Mr. Poppy. Donald lives in the shadow of his domineering father (Ian McNeice), and his "golden boy" identical twin brother Roderick (David Tennant), a world-famous composer and conductor. Mr. Poppy decides to go against the headmistress and for St. Bernadette's to enter the competition anyway, he persuades Donald to sign the entry forms, and kidnaps him for an impromptu road trip to Gastell Llawen in Wales, where the competition is being held. Roderick is also taking part in the competition, mentoring the choir of posh St. Cuthbert's College, and previous rival Mr. Gordon Shakespeare (Jason Watkins) has also entered his class of Oakmoor School. Donald, Mr. Poppy and the children, accompanied by a stray donkey and a baby, end up lost in the wilds of Wales, and must survive the challenges on the journey to the castle, but in the end they make it and compete, gaining a standing ovation, and Donald, Roderick and their father make amends. Also starring Jessica Stevenson as Angel Matthews and Prey's Rosie Cavaliero as Miss Rye. Tennant is amusing as the hapless teacher pushed to breaking point, and as the professional twin brother he is smooth, supporting cast members Ferris and Watkins do their thing fine, and Wootton does again steal more of the show, but this time he is so child-like and over-the-top it becomes irritating. The story is predictably sentimental, like the predecessor it overdoes the mushiness, the children are almost as entertaining as seen previously, but there is not enough charm, it is old-fashioned laughs and very annoying, a disappointing family comedy film for the festivities. Adequate!

msalway-243-27914 I probably don't quite fit the bill for this film: single 30-year-old male, yet I really enjoyed this movie. I started off thinking "this is a bit poor" but I gave it a chance and in the end, I was pleasantly surprised. The original music I thought was well-written. It's a little bit cliché in places but if you go in not expecting much then you will be pleasantly surprised. The child actors are for the most part brilliant and the dynamic between Wooton and Tennant never loses its original appeal. On paper, the film should get a 5/10 if you were to take the constituent parts and break them all down, plot, script, budget, etc., but I think the film actually surpasses that with what they managed to get out of it. It's even uplifting and pretty entertaining throughout. You won't be thinking "God I want this to end." The humour is very much along the lines of a Richard Curtis film but for kids. It's not laugh-out-loud, but it's entertaining. It's not at all patronising. It's suitable for ages 5 and above, and of course adults :-) I give this film an 8/10.

girlingreen I'm in the minority when I say that I enjoyed this movie solely for the performances by the cast members. I tried not to be too alarmed by the illogical plot twists and let it mar my entertainment.The film opens with primary school teacher, Donald Peterson and his very pregnant wife getting ready to spend their first Christmas away from Donald's partisan father played with cold hauteur by Ian McNeice.David Tennant has the unenviable task of playing the dual roles of the mild mannered, bewildered Donald as well as his cold, calculating twin brother Roderick and it is an absolute treat to watch such a hilariously camp performance. The plot rapidly moves into suspension of disbelief especially whenever Mr Poppy (Marc Wooton) appears on screen. Mr Poppy is still reeling from the departure of Mr Maddens (played by Martin Freeman) during the events of the last film, and now has his heart set on winning top prize for St Bernadette's Primary school at "A Song for Christmas", a nationwide school competition. to this end, he takes the entire class and a hapless Donald on a road trip across the Welsh countryside. Picking up an unknown baby and a donkey furthers adds to the surrealism.Side plots include Mr Shakespeare(Jason Watkins) of the rival school Oakmoor determined to cheat his way to winning and Roderick Peterson coolly surveying the other groups and 'tweaking' his choir at the last minute to win at any cost. The best one liners come from the competition's MC, Angel Mathews a retired diva of the day played with sharp wit by Jessica Hynes. The movie comes to its predictable conclusion soon enough though that is not what Donald Peterson refers to as "his best Christmas yet". That is left to the finale with the birth of his sons and the rather touching semi reconciliation scene between the twin brothers.What I found surprising about the movie was that even with a predictable plot, it was the earnest performances from adult and child alike that set it apart. At no point did I feel that the adults were being ironic when improvising their lines. The story was silly, charming and unexpectedly touching at times. I would definitely recommend this as guilty viewing pleasure for Christmas, preferably well tanked up on the holiday spirit of your choice.

tombiddy87 Nativity 2 is a welcome addition to the winter holiday with great chemistry between David Tennant and Mac Wootton)When teacher, Donald Peterson (David Tennant) takes a job at StvBernadette's he has a hard time earning he respect of his pupils but a even harder time being accepted by classroom assistant Mr Poppy, (Wootton) who is still struggling to accept the departure of the previous teacher. On top of all that Mr Poppy convinces Mr Peterson to enter the class for the'Sing a Song for Christmas' competition in Wales but he's less keen when he finds out his brother, Roderick who is highly competitive is also competing. David Tennant once again perfects another role. Although both Pam Ferris and Marc Wootton give great contributions also.Nativity 2 goes along the same heart warming and comical approach and has something for children and adults alike.