"Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special Review
My wife and I debated why Mariah Carey’s Christmas album is the one we remember from back in the day, above all the others. It was a different time. You went out to buy an album because you couldn’t download it, so choosing an album was intentional. She was hot at the time. Everyone was talking about it or playing it on the radio. It was really good. There were quite a few reasons. With her latest, “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special”, shooting to No. 1 on Apple TV+ in more than 100 countries, it’s obvious she’s still got it! Here’s why:
First and foremost, the music is dope. I’m not just talking about her voice and the classic Christmas songs we all can sing along with her but the instrumentation and composition of it. We turned on the home theater speakers and watched a concert. I mean, if you’re going to do a Christmas special it should sound great right?
The special has a loosely written plot and storyline in which jolly old St. Nick needs Mariah to help save the Christmas spirit. Tiffany Haddish is the fireside narrator of the story. We see Mariah the mother with her children at home and then the diva and star we know once she gets to the North Pole to make it happen. The juxtaposition of the two roles makes her somehow more relatable. (I’m actually being serious about that.) The best part is that there is less emphasis on story and it’s just a way to transition into songs. It features Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Billy Eichner, Snoop Dogg, and Jermaine Dupri on different songs. Misty Copeland also visits the North Pole to grace us with her skills. So the talent and old school nods are there.
The production value is outstanding! The set design is elaborate. Production designer Julio Himede brings his years of experience with MTV award shows and comes to work, creating a winter wonderland in various settings. Looking at the frame, you know they’re not out in the middle of the woods, but the set design looks so real and detailed that you get lost in it. The costume and makeup team deserves a hand for the same reason. (Sans the one Spider-Man looking outfit she dons in the beginning.)
Ultimately, the special is a mixture of feel good music, holiday visuals, and a positive vibe we need to cap off the year. Apparently, Mariah Carey has been called the Queen of Christmas. As someone who got dragged into watching the special by his wife and wound up singing along, that title may be well deserved!
Rating: A
