It's New Year's Eve. When the winter holidays approach, I want to see something thematic. It’s always nice to review the already beloved tapes, but I want to get acquainted with something new or missed. Even if the next film is nothing special and does not add to the holiday collection, at least give a little festive mood. This is usually the case, even with passing films. But there are exceptions.
'New Year's Happiness' is a mini-series exploiting the New Year's theme and familiar to us since childhood fairy tales. Each series borrows their names - The Snow Queen, Sleeping Beauty, Red Riding Hood and Princess Frog. To borrow it, and with the plot decided to go their own way. It's hard to accept this as their modernized version, it's not quite so. Not really. And good. Each series has its own main characters, who appear in other series, but their role in them is limited. There are also characters that appear in each series. You could say they're connected. Other fabulous characters are also not forgotten, they are periodically mentioned in dialogues. Usually out of place. Why? Apparently, to give a fairy tale what is happening. In fact, these are ordinary references, but they are only annoying. The likeness of a holiday and a fairy tale still takes place, but it looks so artificial that it becomes extremely difficult to get at least some pleasure from watching.
In 'New Year's Happiness' even the game of good artists for some reason looks fake. There are exceptions, but most of them are hard to believe. It seems that each of them had a task to play in a certain way. As a result, we see ridiculous curves and fake smiles that cannot be perceived without disgust. In one of the episodes, there is an episode where the actors should freeze, but the movements are clearly visible. The episode is quite short. It was impossible not to notice such a joint. I think it would take a few takes to get what you need. But it was probably time to get busy.
The music in the opening screensaver is quite consistent with the theme. Background themes are also not bad, but there is nothing among them that I would like to replenish the collection.
Surprisingly, it is not the most difficult task to watch 'New Year's Happiness' until the end. At the same time, the shortcomings of the film at least add up, but there are no real advantages. Therefore, I believe that such a mini-series is not worth a single viewing. Especially during the winter holidays. Why spoil the mood for yourself and your loved ones? Beware of hack projects trying to play on the good and bright. Even if there are no options, it is better to once again review the time-tested films.
3 out of 10