User Reviews

I wasn't a huge fan of the allegedly-funny Haul out the Holly in 2022, but thought I would give this second one a go nonetheless, looking for something that might change my mind, as the cast - led by the Queen of Christmas Lacey Chabert, and the always-reliable Wes Brown - is very good.

Alas...

Sadly, the cast is wasted.

The movie seemed like it went for 3 hours, and not in a good way.

I just didn't find this funny. The parts where I assume I was meant to laugh were just uncomfortable.

Watching the ultra-competitive new neighbours who arrive on Evergreen Lane (which is actually a cul-de-sac) was akin to running my nails up and down a blackboard. The characters were the complete opposite of what Christmas is supposed to be about. Their "jokes" were not funny. There were few in this film that were.

Let's hope there is no third movie. I'd prefer to see Chabert and Brown together in a more meaningful Christmas film.

Admittedly I didn't love the first movie. I rated it a 5. And after reading the reviews for this sequel I almost skipped it. I'm glad I didn't. I'm not one that laughs out loud often at films/shows, but I literally laughed out loud several times during this movie. There were a couple of throwback lines to Groundhog Day that I enjoyed. Wes Brown is at his comedic best. Based on reviews, I thought the new neighbors would be triggering for me, but I found them very tongue-in-cheek. I could tell the cast had a blast making this movie. No, it's not your typical tender, sentimental Hallmark Christmas movie, but tune in if you're in the mood to have fun watching a Christmas movie. It does end on a heartfelt note. I'm actually hoping we get another sequel.

6.2 stars.

Take the original film and imagine it continued for another 2 hours and the logical continuation would in fact be "lit up". However, the first was already headed for a crash and burn and saved by the fact that it ended. Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the first one, I actually thought it had some redeeming qualities, but it ended on a high note, thus it was a decent standalone story. There was something about the originality and all the cool neighborhood competitions and the undermining and the HOA rules fiasco. Neighbors being frantic with decorating and games and the whole weirdness of it was interesting. Now take all of that originality and multiply it by ten, but instead of adding some variety and a new spin, take the original theme pound it into the ground, i.e. Beat on a dead horse for two more hours. The ending seems to lend itself to yet another sequel, dollars to doughnuts it won't happen. This film cannot rest upon its laurels sufficiently enough to survive the gestation and birthing of a third.

The anticipation for this movie kept me giddy for weeks. I adore the cast. In the first movie, I laughed nonstop, and it was a huge rewatch for me. This one was great, but the influencer aspect was awful. The Jolly Johnsons were mean-spirited and vexing. They made it difficult to watch. I get it; they are supposed to be awful, but it was to the point of me turning it off, but I didn't. I wanted to see the end. For me, the new neighbors ruined the movie, and I don't think I can watch it again even though it ended well. To listen to the Jolly Johnsons and others follow their lead is not my idea of fun.

The negative reviews here really surprised me. You can't take this movie so seriously. Yes, the Johnson Family was obnoxious, controlling, and self-centered, but that was part of the fun. Just how was the neighborhood going to deal with these TV reality stars, especially when the neighborhood, including Emily, almost gets roped in by their fame and notoriety ? I thought this was a very clever way to write a sequel to the original.

As in the first movie, Lacey Chalbert really seems comfortable and relaxed playing Emily, a role that allows her to really show off her charming and witty talents.

She seems to enjoy this type of part and she is very good at it. So much better than in the Hallmark Scotland snooze fest movie she was also in this season, where she seemed disinterested with the plot and her leading man.

Here, Wes Brown is back as her romantic interest. He is a lot of fun and they have a believable relationship.

Other cast members have returned, including the great Melissa Peterman, and they are just as wacky, if not more so, than in the first movie.

And Seth Morris and Jennifer Aspen are quite good as the Johnson's - they get on your nerves in a comical way, and that's what they were supposed to do.

Oh - and watch for the musical garden gnomes - Hilarious!

"Haul out the Holly" was a great movie! So fun and cheerful! It's too bad that I can't say the same for its sequel "Haul out the Holly: Lit Up." Not such a fun and cheerful movie. This movie was quite annoying. A family who were reality TV stars moved in, and literally tried to take over the neighborhood and the homeowner's association, and Christmas festivities, and everything. And they were obnoxious to boot. And mean. Not Christmassy and not cheery. Very disappointing. They should not have made this sequel. They should have just left the first movie "Haul Out the Holly" alone. I recommend "Haul Out the Holly," but not its sequel.

Why continue to retread tradional big-city meets small-town holiday themes when you can "borrow" from highly-regarded Hollywood productions? It works, well, here, leaving you with an enjoyable 85 minutes, and most-likely, the desire to add this to your "re-watchable" collection. It starts with a great cast-ensemble. You have one of Hallmark's finest leads, Lacey Chabert 👍(Emily), complimented by Wes Brown (Jared), and believably antagonized by Jennifer Aspen (Jane Johnson). The supporting cast is led by veterans, Ellen Travolta and Stephen Tobolowsky. Although primarily a humor-driven story, it does what most great comedies effectively accomplish - poke fun at the human "condition". Firstly, you have the core of the film, HOA's. They initially begin with good-intentions, but inevitably the rigid-rules, power-trips of the board, and unforgiving citations begin to sour many of its constituents. Then, there are the egotistical bullies, the Johnsons, who believe their celebrity as reality-TV stars excludes them from the rules. The disgruntled neighbors see their opportunity to rebel against the HOA and this sets up for a "war". This escalates, uncontrollably, until.... Emily steps up...Lacey Chabert, who were accustomed to always being so charming...She shows her fierce determination (yes!) to take the battle into her own hands. It takes the innocence of children to finally wake up the immature adults te realize they have lost sight of the true meaning of the season. Ironically, in a comedy, Emily's and Jared's relationship is a much deeper love than what has been commonly depicted in this Hallmark holiday season. Well done!

I absolutely loved the original Haul Out the Holly. I watched it a zillion times last year, and was really looking forward to seeing this sequel. However, they completely changed the tone this time. The original was light and funny, any tension was minor, and you knew everything would be fine. This one introduced major tension right away with the very unpleasant new neighbors. I gave it about half an hour, couldn't find anything to like about it (other than the stellar performances from last year's cast), and then just fast-forwarded to the end, which was fine. They really missed the boat on this sequel.

Caught this on the night it debuted. A few hours earlier, they played the original. I was at home with my mother and was not going to go out shopping the weekend after Thanksgiving. The original was inoffensive if not great. But this one. Let's just say that I am an atheist and I was longing for some spirituality or mentions of the real meaning of the holidays.

Instead, this is a very shallow look at a bunch of shallow people in a Homeowner's Association (HOA) who really don't think of much but decorations and cookie contests. Despite such a great cast like stalwart Lacey Chabert, Melissa Peterman, Ellen Travolta and Stephen Tobolowsky ( all returning from the original movie), there isn't much here to recommend it. Too bad. Not hoping for a third.

The quirky, funny cast from Haul out the Holly is back in this sequel, only this time Emily and Jared are dating and the drama doesn't come from the Evergreen Lane neighbors lighting a fire of Christmas enthusiasm under a reluctant reveler...but rather from the competition with the new neighbors the Johnsons.

In fact the competition with these over the top Johnsons adds a frantic (and decidedly non-Christmas) energy to this story...which eventually is brought back home to our fun, quirky, neighborly neighbors...who excel at helping one another and sharing their Christmas spirit with others.

Just as funny as the first and just as much character development with our quirky neighborhood favorites like Ned, Pamela and Mary Louise. There is one more secret Christmas project that Jared is working on...with a little help from their friends, the romantic story is progressed.

I am loving this cast...there isn't a weak member and I can't wait to see them again next year for Christmas.

(I also want to know where Mary Louise got that adorable quilted Christmas coat.... I want one!) I highly recommend this fun Hallmark holiday film to anyone who enjoys Christmas and Christmas decorations.

This is one of those movies that just did not need a sequel. And rarely do I not love a Lacey Hallmark Christmas movie. This was just beyond disappointing. Loved the first one and was so excited to watch this when I saw the previews for the season, but it just did not deliver. The Jolly Johnson's left me anything but jolly after watching. I've watched hundreds of Hallmark movies and realize they are not trying to be Oscar worthy, but this is barely watchable. I have seen worse, but not with this cast. It was just incredibly disappointing and painful to watch. They can't all be winners, but this is a big pass for me.

Many reviewers here seem disappointed that the film isn't a typical Hallmark film.

You know...perfect people overcoming odds to find love during the holidays...stories that have more sap than the Christmas tree.

Instead, we get a "Christmas Vacation"-like satire of the season.

The leading man is a obsessive architect enforcing far too serious neighborhood HOA holiday rules. Everyone is on board, albeit with an underlying current of passive aggression.

All is set for another perfect season until a new family moves in....and they have a reputation for creating over the top holiday displays.

Unlike most Hallmark films, here you have to actually listen to the dialog, or you'll be likely to miss a fun line.

It has a great cast... unlike many of these films, you may recognize some of the actors from other projects.

Lacey Chabert, the queen of Hallmark films, gets to expand her repertoire, stepping away from her usual ernest virgin role, to being a spectator to the suburban insanity. She probably has fewer lines than the rest of her co-stars.

Like the Chevy Chase Christmas classic (only without the swearing and Danny Kaye reference) it's about well meaning people's desire to create a memorable holiday....which gets out of hand.

It it possible the best Hallmark comedy ever.

I am an avid Christmas movie junkie. Have not missed one in years. However, I started to waych this one and could not finish it I was so disappointed. I thought the first one was strange but at least I was able to watch the whole movie. This time I just cannot. It is not funny in the areas where you think you should be laughing. I just don't feel any Christmas spirit coming through. The first few minutes I just want to have the new neighbors just put in their van and sent on their way! Just cannot sit through this one. I think they could have thought up a much better movie for the cast . Also will be researching Hallmark movies more closely.

I don't usually give up on movies...I didn't give up on this, though it give the original a run for terrible and it won...and I didn't give up on it. The Johnson's were annoying, over bearing, mean, contriving, and...... I could go on and on. I rated the original a 4 and I quit maybe half way through. I couldn't justify giving this any thing other than a 1.

I'm not going to make a political statement out of this movie but the competiveness of The Johnson's was so political in nature.

I saw from the outset how this was going and at first I thought I was watching the original. Everything was the same. Then I found Haul out the Holly and thought here we go again...and it was worse.

I made it through to the end.......ugh!

Wow, what a huge disappointment. I loved the first movie, it was cute and whimsical, a real joy to watch. But this one? Not so much.

The new neighbors on Evergreen Lane are bullies, plain and simple. There is just no Christmas Joy or Spirit to any of their behavior. I found myself cringing at their obnoxious take-over of the movie.

Even Lacey & Wes couldn't save this one. I'm sure it had a happy ending, but I just couldn't stand another minute. And I'm not sure what the issue was, but I had a terrible time understanding Wes Brown's dialog. Most of what he said was rushed and muffled.

The marriage proposal could have been more front and center, and maybe even saved the movie. It's too bad the focus was on the bully new neighbors. They were just horrible, and I couldn't watch it past about 40 minutes.

I was hoping to enjoy this movie as much as Haul Out The Holly, but unfortunately I didn't. What made the first one funny, quirky and sort of charming was the easy chemistry of the cast. Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Melissa Peterman, Ellen Travolta, etc., all returned, which was great, but the addition of three new neighbors (a family who's made it big via a reality TV Xmas decoration contest, which sets up the premise of this movie) made me want to get in my car and drive away from Evergreen Lane. It wasn't the actors; it was the way they were written, over the top, self-absorbed and annoying. There was nothing endearing about any of the newbies and there needed to be in order for this movie to be semi-enjoyable, at least in my opinion.

Hallmark just might be able to redeem itself next year if it comes up with another sequel to this, one with much better dialogue and a return to the fun, whimsical feeling the first one brought. In contrast, I wasn't expecting too much from Holiday Road, another 2023 Hallmark holiday offering, but it's one of the best TV holiday movies this year. Skip HOTH: Lit Up and watch that one instead.