OPERATION CHRISTMAS DROP (NETFLIX) (2020)

SYNOPSIS: While gathering evidence to support closing a tropical U.S. Air Force base, a by-the-book congressional aide warms to its big-hearted captain.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Just a week ago we reviewed Holidate, the sort of Christmassy festive formulaic romantic comedy which you encounter year after year. And now Netflix has come up with Operation Christmas Drop, yet another Christmassy festive formulaic romantic comedy.

Erica (Kat Graham from The Vampire Diaires), a high achiever, congressional aide is tasked by Congresswoman Bradford (Virginia Madsen) to go to Guam to report whether is it feasible to close down the air base for budgetary reasons. Air Force Captain “Klaus” (played by former child actor and Vikings star Alexander Ludwig) is thus assigned by his commander to bring Erica around the base hoping that she will put in some favourable words in her report. You know what to expect when the man has a charming wide smile that is hot enough to melt half of Antarctica.

Of course, the strong-willed Erica will see herself melting soon under the charm of “Klaus” when she sees that the man actually has a big heart and Operation Christmas Drop actually has more meaning than mere wasting of army logistics and manpower. Oh let’s not forget a beautiful snorkelling session and a makeshift Christmas party which brought back to mind Erica’s Christmas spirits.

Beneath all the expected sweetness and bickering, Operation Christmas Drop is actually inspired by a real humanitarian effort which brings supplies to residents on the many tiny islands of Micronesia. The tradition started way back in 1952 and is still a continuing effort by the US, Japanese and Australian armies. It’s a humanitarian effort and also serves as training exercise for the airmen and women. Does Erica and Congresswoman Bradford has a chance of shutting it down? Nah not a chance. We will always have the magical Christmas miracle and handsome hunky Captain “Klaus” to thank for.

This is very much a picturesque romantic flick set in tropical Guam. Blue sunny sky, warm blue sea, eye candy in the forms of Graham and Ludwig. There isn’t much left in the cinematography department because the location and the leads already did half the job.

Because there is an actual inspiring story behind the not so actual love story, we are going to generously give it a star more if you want to compare this to Holidate. In the end, Operation Christmas Drop is a traditional holiday rom com that can be enjoyed by everyone while you devour your turkey and indulge in your red wine selection. Once a while, we wouldn’t mind a predicable happy ending love story.  

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee