Christmas Eve, The Other Side of the World: Operation Christmas Drop Review

Operation Christmas Drop
Director: Martin Wood
8.5
What is Operation Christmas Drop About?
Operation Christmas Drop is the story of pencil pusher legislative aid named Erica Miller who is tasked by a senator to spend her Christmas in Guam on a military base to determine whether this base should be shut down. This particular military base is known for doing a humanitarian project called “Operation Christmas Drop” where they drop supplies like books, food, clothes and much more on islands in Micronesia. This operation has been going on for over 65 years and when Erica arrives, she is then introduced and chauffeured by Captain Andrew Jantz who is a diehard supporter of the operation as he tries to show Erica why their operation and the base should not be shut down. Along the way Erica will come to see the good effects the drop has on these islands and how the true meaning of Christmas spreads to the tropics.
Who are the Characters in Operation Christmas Drop?
Operation Christmas Day features a variety of characters. From relaxed Islanders to uptight congress people, This movie features characters from all spectrums of life. This movie focuses on two particular characters: Captain Andrew, the main leader of Operation Christmas Drop, and Erika, a legislative-aide. At first glance, these characters are as opposite to each other like opposite ends of a magnet. Andrew is the likeable and carefree. His main mission has always been to help anyone in need. Erika, on the other hand, is more uptight, and is very dedicated to her work. When these two characters meet, a clash of ideals is born.

Christmas Drop Reviews
Austin: 8.7/10
This is going to be a classic Christmas movie. It is super good, start to finish. Operation Christmas Drop shows a very different picture of Christmas than most movies, missing the white Christmas aspect. This doesn’t steal from the feel of Christmas though. Honestly, it has a more genuine sense of Christmas spirit than a lot of movies I have seen in the past. The writing is pretty good, and the character development is incredible.
Operation Christmas Drop is based on a mission that has been going on for over 65 years in Micronesia. With that being said, the rest of the movie is fiction. The writers and the directors do a fantastic job of surrounding a heartwarming story with a plot that will allow it to reach a huge audience. The plot is also filled with other mini plot lines that give the movie a deeper feel, and it also really helps with the character development we see.
It is incredible to see the characters we start with, and the ways they grow and change together. We see the effects of Christmas spirit on our characters, with drastic changes to their outlooks on their lives. We see a passion that is renewed in more than one character, that can only be categorized as a Christmas miracle.
I really enjoyed this movie, and the positive vibes that came with. I almost found myself watching a second time today. The characters are super easy to get attached to, and that makes the emotional moments mean even more. I know it’s just the beginning of November, but if you have Netflix and are looking to get in the Christmas mood just a little early this year, you have to go check this one out!
Sebastian: 8.3/10
This movie is a Christmas movie. What I mean by that is that the movie portrays many aspects that are seen across many different Christmas movies with similar themes and some similar set up for the story. Where this movie stands its ground is the setting of the story, the heartwarming scenes and a charming cast. The tropical setting that this movie adopts does not sway this movie from having that Christmas feeling, and yes I realize that this is not the first Christmas movie to change locations from a snowy Christmas but I believe that this movie uses it location in a way where I really felt how a typical Christmas would work in this part of the world.

The cast of the movie is incredibly charming with no really dislikable characters by the end. Andrew ( played by Alexander Ludwig) is a very likeable, kind, helpful and almost unbelievably selfless character who is all in on Operation Christmas Drop but he is also a guy who sees all the angles in a situation and everyone likes him. Erica (played by Kat Graham) is of course the serious and no-nonsense workaholic but she is by no means a bad person. Erica is just trying to do her job and maybe get a promotion and while at first, she is a little hostile and quick to judge she loosens up when she sees the good that the base is doing. The chemistry between the two leads is quite present and they play off each other quite well as they bond over the time they share and realize that neither is as bad as they initially thought. Another big selling point is the heartwarming scenes this movie has with tons of scenes showing just how powerful the effect that the drop has on the majority of the islanders and there are a few scenes with kids that are quite touching overall.
All in all this is a welcome addition to the Christmas catalogue of movies that will put everyone in that Christmas mood. I recommend this movie to anyone looking for a new holiday comedy.