“Nothing Like a Trilogy to Make People Happy.”
After recording all those Hallmark Christmas movies in 2024 and then not watching most of them until the start of this year, I swore that I wasn’t going to watch any this year. And I’ve been tempted. (We aren’t counting Mistletoe Murders because they are calling it a TV series.) But when I saw that the Brenner family was coming back for Three Wisest Men, I knew I had to give it a watch.
If you’ve missed this now trilogy, it all started with 2022’s Three Wise Men and a Baby, which proved to be a surprise hit for Hallmark. They continued the story with last year’s Three Wiser Men and a Boy. I definitely recommend you watch those two movies first, which is no problem at all since they are fun. Honestly, I wish I’d rewatched at least last year’s entry since I obviously misremembered something from the previous movie.
When we rejoin the family, it is once again Christmas, and it looks like things are going to drastically change once again for the Brenner brothers. Luke (Andrew W. Walker) and his wife Sophie (Nicole Major) and expecting twins, which is making their son Thomas (Miles Marthaller) feel a little forgotten. Meanwhile, Stephan (Paul Campbell) is having trouble committing to any decisions for his wedding to Susie (Fiona Vroom). Oh yeah, and her father (Lochlyn Munro) has popped in unexpectedly for the holiday. And Taylor (Tyler Hynes) has been offered his dream partnership, but it would mean moving to San Francisco, a big change for a man who still lives in their mother’s basement. Of course, he can’t do that much longer since Barbara (Margaret Colin) has decided to sell the family home. You know what that means… an effort to make this the best Christmas yet.
If you think that’s a lot going on, you’d be right. But we are just getting started. Yes, most of the twists and plot points are predictable. But that doesn’t make them any less fun. There is plenty of craziness, but fans of the franchise are going to know to expect that. I couldn’t help but laugh as they were unfolding.
And yet, we still get the moments that have made us fall in love with these characters. The characters may be heightened, almost caricatures at times, but we love watching them figure out life together. And we love seeing them be there for each other.
There’s plenty of Christmas charm, but mixed in with the silliness. If you are looking for a typical sweet Hallmark Christmas movie, you’ll be disappointed. This is more sitcom than romantic comedy. But it does evoke the Christmas feelings you’d expect.
And the actors are all at the top of their game. The low budget cheese is very minimal, and the characters and situations pull you in.
Having said all of this, the film still wasn’t as good as the first one. I didn’t feel like they were trying quite as hard here as in the second to duplicated it, but it still lacked that unexpected magic of the first one. Not that it should keep you from watching. If you liked the first two, you’ll find plenty of enjoy here. Although there was one item I’m surprised they didn’t replicate here.
These movies maybe not follow the classic Hallmark Christmas movie formula, but they are delightful. If you’ve enjoyed the first two, you’ll be glad you check in on the Brenners once again with Three Wisest Men.
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