Jonathan Taylor Thomas plays Jake Wilkinson a wheeling, dealing self centered student who makes up excuses every year so that he doesn't have to go home for Christmas. His father who desperately wants his son home for Christmas if only for one year, offers him Porche if he gets home by six o'clock on Christmas Eve.

However, Jake has a few problems of his own when one of his deals backfires and the lads who suffer becuase of it, dress him up in a Santa outfit, and dump him in the middle of a barron wasteland, aka the desert. With no money and no means of transport, Jake must somehow find his way back home in time for Christmas Eve or miss out on the best Christmas present ever.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas does his best in his role as Jake Wilkinson but the audience never really becomes that attachted to him and therefore not particularly bothered whether he does get home or not. The gorgeous Jessica Biel plays the equally gorgeous Allie, Jakes girlfriend. Adam LaVorgna plays the creep Eddie who is basically trying to steal Jakes girlfriend.

Overall, 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' isn't the worst holiday movie ever but it certainly isn't the best, and if you want to enjoy it just that little bit, don't take it too seriously, don't expect too much of it and just accept t for what it is. Kids will probably love it.

A Good and Funny Film, But only Worth 3 Stars
Review date: 2004-12-20 Rating: 8 out of 10

I'll be home for Christmas tells the tale of Jake, a 18 yr old kid, who's got a girlfriend called Allie. The main plot of the story is that his father will give him the family Porsche if he comes home for Christmas. This ruins his initial plans to have Christmas with Allie, so he agrees to the challenge. Sadly, after a deal with a bunch of dudes backfires, he ends up stuck the desert in a santa suit, with Eddie (the gang leader) with his girlfriend. The film basically tells the tale of Jake's trip across the desert.

The film is funny in parts, but quite boring in others. It is still a good film and i would seriously consider buying this, especially at amazon's great price as i saw it on the Disney Channel. It is full of fun and good entertainment with a brilliant cast. A fun feel-good happy Christmas, but not Disney's best Christmas film, but worth a watch or a purchase at the price it's being sold for on amazon. A fun film that most people will find funny, entertaining and enjoyable like i did. The only reason it gets 4 stars is because the chances of being able to hitch so many rides across the desert with no money is a rather difficult thing to do.

Jonathon Taylor Thomas Tries, But He Can't Save This Film
Review date: 2003-12-16 Rating: 4 out of 10

Jake has no interest in coming home for Christmas and spending it with his dad, sister, and step-mother. But when his father promises him a Porsche if he's there by Christmas Eve dinner, Jake decides to spend the holidays with them. Only things aren't that simple. A scheme to help some jocks cheat on a final backfires, and he finds himself in the desert in a Santa costume. Now, he must use all his wits to get from California to New York before the deadline.

I remember thinking this film would be fun when it first came out. I was wrong then, and watching it again didn't change my mind. The problem is with Jake. Watching the guy lie and scheme his way across the country for an hour and a half to get a car is hard to watch. You're supposed to be rooting for him, but he's so despicable you want him to fail. And his supposed change of heart at the end is too little too late to redeem him. Because of this, the funny situations along the way aren't as funny because you don't care about the character.

Frankly, I find this disappointing because I do enjoy Jonathon Taylor Thomas's work. He's a good actor, but he can't raise the level of the comedy above poor. If you want to get into the spirit of the season, skip this and watch many of the other, better holiday themed movies available. You'll be glad you did.

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