It’s a pleasant Christmas-themed comedy with fantastical elements. *Genie* isn’t overwhelmingly Christmassy; it takes place during the holiday season rather than centering on the specific traditions of Christmas, but it still has an uplifting feel. The narrative is well-constructed and moves at a good speed—I anticipated something more predictable, and while it doesn't break new ground, it's enjoyable to watch. There are echoes of *Aladdin* and *Bruce Almighty*. Melissa McCarthy seems like a natural fit for the lead role, and I found her consistently amusing. This was my first time seeing Paapa Essiedu perform, and his contribution is reliable; he delivers a sufficient performance. Luis Guzmán stands out among the supporting cast, even with limited screen time. It’s noteworthy that this film revisits a 1991 television movie, which involved Richard Curtis in production and Alan Cumming as Bernard—a nice touch to see him back in a different capacity. I should check out that earlier version sometime.

Source on TMDB