Martin F. Kohn Detroit Free Press Dec 13, 2024 6/10

While Prancer comes across as E.T. with antlers, its performances are good and its atmosphere authentic.

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Joanna Connors Cleveland Plain Dealer Dec 13, 2024

Though the film doesn't inspire awe visually, it does offer a heartwarming, unabashedly family-oriented story.

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Michael H. Price Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com Dec 13, 2024 4/10

The picture has enough good-heartedness to work despite the simplistic conceits of Greg Taylor's screenplay.

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Steve Warren Bay Area Reporter Dec 13, 2024

Not exactly rapid-fire to begin with, Prancer slows to a crawl toward the end. Maurice Jarre's syrupy score, suggesting a majesty not present in the visuals, drags it down further.

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Kat Halstead Common Sense Media Dec 7, 2022 3/5

Scenes with Prancer himself are more realistic than might be expected of a relatively low-budget 1980s film, and a touching relationship develops between the reindeer and young Jessica.

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Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer Dec 14, 2014 2/4

A hodgepodge of Heidi and Meet Me in St. Louis.

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Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Dec 14, 2014 4/5

This is a tale about faith and love, but it's also a story of coldness and death. Prancer, you might say, puts the winter solstice back in Christmas/

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Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Dec 14, 2014

Harrell carries the film with an impressive performance for a child whose only previous experience was as a singing litterbug in a school play.

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Roger Hurlburt South Florida Sun-Sentinel Dec 14, 2014 2.5/4

While charming in conception and beautifully photographed in the dead of a Midwestern winter, Prancer is marred by a principal role.

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Ralph Novak People Magazine Dec 14, 2014

It's a tribute to veteran TV writer Greg Taylor's script and, especially, to the acting of 9-year-old Ms. Harrell that the movie remains engaging and palatably sweet.

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Dennis King Tulsa World Dec 14, 2014 3/4

In the end, Prancer is a simple pleasure as the story of one special child's faith in the spirit of Christmas, a faith that changes her family and her community for the better.

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Tom Hutchinson Radio Times Dec 14, 2014 3/5

This charming and disarming family film offers wish fulfilment to all but the most cynical of youngsters.

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Dave Kehr Chicago Tribune Dec 13, 2014 2/4

Prancer remains a real curiosity -- a movie that`s far from being successful on its own terms, yet better than those terms would suggest.

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Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com Mar 14, 2009 2/5

Forgettable Christmas movie featuring Sam Elliott.

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 12, 2005 2/5

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Scott Weinberg eFilmCritic.com Apr 2, 2005 3/5

Harmless, pleasant Xmas-themed family fare.

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David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Jan 15, 2005 2.5/4

...worth a look around the holidays.

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Caryn James New York Times May 20, 2003

Its plodding competence can't provide that effortless magical touch that Christmas classics are made of.

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Jeffrey M. Anderson San Francisco Examiner Mar 24, 2003 3/5

An oddly dark, moving holiday film.

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Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) Jan 8, 2003 3/5

Not nearly as bad as you'd think.

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