Nativity 3: Dude Where's My Donkey?!

Nativity 3: Dude Where’s My Donkey?!, is a delightful family-friendly festive comedy from 2014 directed by Debbie Isitt who has maintained her unique filmmaking style with the third installment of the Nativity series. This light-hearted film showcases a talented ensemble cast featuring Martin Clunes, Marc Wootton, and Catherine Tate, who bring a charming blend of humour and holiday cheer to the proceedings.

The plot of Nativity 3: Dude Where’s My Donkey?! centers around Mr. Shepherd played by Martin Clunes, an amnesiac teacher who's lost his memory as well as his donkey, Archie. A rather unfortunate and hilarious series of events unfolds when he is hit on the head by a rogue Christmas cracker toy. He wakes up days before Christmas only to find out that he's lost his memory, and thereby his adorable donkey, Archie, who has mysteriously disappeared. Amidst all this, he finds himself engaged to his live-in girlfriend Sophie, played by Catherine Tate, without having any memory of her.

Mr. Poppy, played by Marc Wootton, the teaching assistant, gets involved in the intricate concoction of the comedy when he comes to the aid of Mr. Shepherd. Together they embark on an adventure trying to recover Mr. Shepherd's memory and the beloved donkey while navigating the minefield of keeping Sophie in the dark about Mr. Shepherd's amnesia. With a flashy fairy-tale themed nuptial and Christmas to look forward to, the pair must scramble to put everything back into place.

Set mostly in St. Bernadette's School, Nativity 3: Dude Where's My Donkey?! integrates a school Christmas singing competition called "A Christmas Flashmob" on Christmas Eve in the mix. This musical competition ties the film together as the children begin practising for the event, providing plenty of humorous and heartwarming moments.

One of the endearing things about this film is seeing familiar faces from the Nativity series return, with appearances from Jason Watkins and Joanna Page amongst others. It’s always a delight to see characters from previous films, capturing the continuity in the whole series. Martin Clunes shines as the amnesiac Mr. Shepherd, displaying comedic timing whilst also managing to inject a feeling of pathos into his role. Equally, Marc Wootton continues to entertain audiences with his child-like charm and infectious enthusiasm while Catherine Tate showcases her comedic chops with a performance that's grounded yet still inherently amusing.

Nativity 3: Dude Where’s My Donkey?! transports viewers to various picturesque locations around Warwickshire, England, and New York City, USA contributing to a visually pleasing cinematic experience. Despite its wild premise, the film carries an undercurrent of heart and warmth, sharing a message about the importance of the Christmas spirit, family, friendship, teamwork, and doing the right thing even in the face of adversity.

The director, Debbie Isitt used the same pseudo-documentary filming style like its predecessors, which gives an authentic feel to the film. Colorful, energetic, and sure to keep youngsters entertained, the film is packed with several memorable musical numbers, punctuating the story with lively sequences of singing and dancing that are sure to stick in your mind.

All in all, Nativity 3: Dude Where's My Donkey?! is a fun-filled festive treat, filled with giggles and heartwarming moments that will surely entertain the whole family. Despite being the third part in the series, it stands on its own and doesn't require knowledge of the previous films, making it accessible to all. It successfully captures the mayhem and merriment of the yuletide season through its unashamedly outrageous storyline and tugs at the heartstrings while still providing plenty of belly laughs. For those in search of an entertaining holiday film to enjoy with the whole family, Nativity 3: Dude Where's My Donkey?! could just be what you're looking for.