Now playing on digital platforms (such as Tubi) is the feel good holiday family movie, Merry Christmas Officer Hansel.
The film stars…Hansel. The film was also inspired by him. He’s an adorable 12 pound mixed breed dog who was found as a starving and abandoned puppy. As an animal lover, and someone who adopts rescued animals, I love that the film was inspired by him and stars him. That is so sweet!
Here is more information about this adorable pup.
Hansel’s future did not look bright when he was found by animal control on a cold December night in the high desert. He was skin and bones. Too malnourished to be put up for adoption, he was given to a private rescue willing to keep him until he was well enough to be adopted.
Filmmakers Colin Kaye and Alex Cain saw a sign for that adoption event on their way home one day and decided to stop by. Cain remembers “The event was almost over and all the dogs had already been adopted. But then they brought in one more box with this little puppy in it. He had a sweater on to hide how skinny he was but he had a look on his face that was so hopeful.” It was love at first site and Hansel went home with Kaye and Cain.
Hansel and Kaye formed a special bond. After the coinciding deaths of his parents Colin was experiencing grief. When he was suffering Hansel would sense his distress and come lean against him to comfort him. “We hadn’t trained him to be a service dog, he became one on his own.” says Cain. It was that comfort that became the seed of the story of “Merry Christmas Officer Hansel.”
This film also stars two-legged actors too – none other than Alex Cain and Colin Kaye themselves. Talk about a “family affair.” In fact, you’ll notice something “unique” about all the human actors too. I won’t give it away, but it becomes very obvious quickly.
If you and your family enjoy films like Santa Paws, Snow Buddies, Beverly Hill Chihuahua, and other pet-centered films, then you’ll surely enjoy this film. Hansel is so cute and she “steals” (no pun intended…okay…maybe a little) every scene he’s in.
Someone in town is about to ruin Christmas because they are stealing holiday packages and gifts (think “porch pirate”), and it’s up to Hansel to stop the thief before it’s too late.
This film is not only about capturing the thief, but also friends and family, and being together. After all, it’s not about the gifts you find under the Christmas tree, but rather the “gifts” (family, friends, traditions…) AROUND the Christmas tree that matters the most.
I must say… some of the stolen presents that the thief considers “junk” is actually really cool, like a wood “rain stick” and a wood “jumping” bear. I’ll take them! Ha Ha. Hansel almost ended up in the “junk” pile too! No way!
The movie can be a bit corny at times, but that is fine with me. I rather watcha silly, happy, holiday movie than one where Santa is going around killing people. Do you know what I mean? I’m all for horror movies, but some holidays should NOT have a horror movie attached to them.
The story is also in California, and not a classic, snowy location, which was different too.
I enjoyed this sweet film. It got me in the holiday spirit. I especially loved seeing all the holiday decorations in the film. It also reminds me of how I don’t have a single gift for under our tree either. Not yet anyway.
If you would like to learn more about this sweet holiday film, visit the official Facebook page, as well as Hansel’s Instagram page. The official hashtag is #MerryChristmasOfficerHansel.
Below is the film’s trailer for your entertainment.
Kimberly
*I received a screener link in order to view this film. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.