Here is a unique subject matter for a movie: detectives who try to track down “porch pirates” who have been committing thefts regularly with the help of placing trackers on delivery trucks. They also use a drone to aid in stealing packages. This movie is both enjoyable and entertaining. Director Jeff Hamm nailed it with this one.
Taking place in east Texas, the movie opens with the local news anchor reporting about the porch pirates, and he comments, “Check your front porch for those packages—because they’re not coming down your chimney this year.” These porch pirates intend to dampen the Christmas spirit.
A man shows a supposedly interested buyer a lot of toys in his trunk, illegally obtained by stealing them off porches. Come to find out, however, the man who was interested is an undercover detective and the seller is arrested. The detective, named Marcos (Phil Mendoza), hears Christmas music and comments he doesn’t like to hear the music until after Thanksgiving, which a lot of viewers will probably agree with.
Marcos is brother to another main character, Maria (Candace Kirkpatrick), and Marcos works with his brother-in-law, Jack Tyler (Jay Dee Walters), a fellow detective. We learn more about Marcos as he doesn’t make the Thanksgiving celebration, spending time instead at a cemetery, while drinking from a flask, and missing his deceased wife. He wishes her a “Happy Thanksgiving, Baby.” In a touching scene, Maria prays for him and his grief and for the loss of his wife, Jenny.
At one point we see the porch pirates behind the scenes, and one of them makes a comment that it pays more than delivering pizza, which they happen to do as well. They plan to, as they describe it, “hit a single truck route tomorrow.” The porch pirates include the leader, Bobby (Noah Archibald), the woman in his life, Sarah (Molly Peyton White), Izzy (Terry Higginbotham) and Sticky (Ryan T. Johnson), so named for his hands which find things to steal. The pirates use skateboards, fleeing on foot after pilfering packages, the drone, and whatever method they can to snatch the packages off the porches of various neighborhoods. On the news a quick video shows one of them in a Santa costume while also wearing a pirate’s mask. Some peppy music is played during a stealing montage.
Maria invites Marcos for Christmas, but he comments he will be there but is “not going to church.” But things will soon improve for Marcos and his disposition when he meets new detective Sally Jones (Kara Rainer). She joins him and Jack in trying to nab the nabbers. Later, in a touching scene, he looks at his wife’s picture and takes off his wedding ring, finally ready to move forward. The film features lighthearted moments, one of the nice and positive things about it when contrasted with people losing their packages from their porches. In one scene, for instance, a delivery driver is determined to cut down on the thefts, and uses a lady’s video doorbell to ask for the woman to come to the porch, and after several seconds of no response, she asks, “Are you on the pot?”
The detectives interview a couple who have lost a lot of packages to the thievery, and learn they collect old Beanie Babies and that one was worth $20,000! One of the porch pirates, Sticky, learns of this and wants to sell it right away but Bobby wants them to hold off until things cool down. One lady who is questioned says she wouldn’t steal and that she’s a church-going girl.
The detectives begin to make progress when they find one of the trackers on one of the delivery trucks. The audience will be swept in as important questions pop up: will Sally and Marcos really become an item? Will the porch pirates finally be nabbed? And, if so, what will happen to them? And the likable character of Maria, who wants a replica bell from her favorite movie It’s a Wonderful Life for Christmas—will she get it?
The “sometimes childish” behavior of various characters will endear the audience to this movie. For example, when Marcos and Sally become close, Jack teases Marcos with, “Marcos and Sally sitting in a tree—k-i-s-s-i-n-g!” Director Jeff Hamm does a good job in moving the story along with humor, suspense, and the holiday spirit.
Content Analysis: It’s nice to see the family say a prayer over the meal and mention the priest’s good message. The film features the importance of family and of moving forward in life. The content is fairly mild, and honesty is emphasized.
Think About It: Some good discussion points can be centered around the fact that stealing causes others disappointment and the loss of what they ordered. The need to grieve and to eventually move ahead are also nice discussion topics. As is the importance of sharing important holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas with family and friends.
The Dove Take: This enjoyable movie receives our All Ages Dove Seal and parents are welcome to check our content listing to make their own informed decisions.
