A_Different_Drummer Before we start our regularly schedule review, lets crate context.In the early days of Hollywood, x-mas movies were an oddity. They were in the process of finding themselves. Films like Miracle on 34th Street 1946 and Its a Wonderful Life 1947 (offically an X-mas tale because the story takes place around X-mas) were the exception, not the rule.Flash forward about 55 years or so and now you find that some countries (like Canada) have actually formed a cottage industry just turning out X-mas movies year after year, good story or bad, entertaining or not, just to feed the "maw" of the system. (Canada has even stooped so low as to remake a B--- version of Miracle on 34th Street 1946 ... apparently spurred on the US' horrific remake of the same film in 1994).So, therein likes the issue. When X-mas movies become commoditized, it becomes a real challenge that break away from the homogeneous sludge that passes for holiday movies these days.(Elf 2003 pulled it off -- wonderful and recommended).This film is not going to win any awards, but it holds the attention and has some really marvellous comedy bits buried here and there. (The "Crazy Jimmy Claus routine is worth the whole movie.) Recommended.

JaynaB This dry, wry, sometimes snarky Christmas tale touches buttons from the ridiculous to the very human, neatly and surely.Several standard American holiday tropes - Santa getting lost before the holiday, kids asking for their parents back, elves who need humans to save the day - are turned on their heads in inimitable Brit-film style. Jim Broadbent does Santa very well. There's a 'Bad Santa' element, Keystone-esque cops and prison guards, and some hilarious farting reindeer.The simple human story of father and son bonding, of dad and step-dad and mom making peace with each other, is strong enough to be convincing. And heart-warming.

elainehewitt65 The children I took to see this film are in the age range of 4 to 10 years old. They all thoroughly enjoyed it.The story unfolds with Santa crashing his sleigh in Richmond Park, London. He consequently hides in a garden shed whilst his reindeer end up in Battersea Dog's Home. The little boy whose shed Santa occupies finds Santa and then sets out to recover the sleigh along with the reindeer with the help of his father (who takes some convincing that Santa is actually Santa).I personally didn't think it was up there in the top Christmas movies. I recall there was a reference to killing swans which didn't make any sense whatsoever and was completely unrelated to the story. There was some mild violence in there as well which I don't think goes together well with Santa and good will at Christmas. Children will enjoy this on a superficial level but adults who see things a little deeper may be left with a feeling of "what was that all about?"Give me "Elf" any day.

Matthew Luke Brady Jim Broadbent get's to play Santa twice, lucky man.The film follows Santa reindeer are found running loose through the streets of London. Meanwhile an astonished 9 year-old Tom (newcomer Kit Connor) discovers Santa (Jim Broadbent) in the garden shed. He has crash-landed while test-driving his new sleigh and enlists Tom and his father Steve (Rafe Spall) to help him get back to Lapland. But what happens when Santa is arrested and thrown into prison?Just looking at the advertisements for this film I already could guess what kind of film it was going to be, you know the stupid kid humor, poop Jokes and everybody doesn't believe that one or two character in the movie. Well I can say some of those really bad clichés are in the movie, but what really surprise me is how grown up and how well behave the film actually is.Jim Broadbent once again plays are favorite fat but lovable "Santa Claus", and just like in Arthur Christmas where he played like the forgettable Claus, in this he just played normal good all Santa and his so good at it. The Santa Claus we got in this movie was so caring, so joyful and just the sweetest man you could ever meet and Jim Broadbent perfectly cast in this movie.The all film itself has it's heart felt moments. It has it's quiet moments and character talking about their problems not like in other kids film where the character's have problems of their own but never get's bought up like ever. This is a good lesson for kids, teaching them about silents and dealing with yours and other peoples problems. It's not like some stupid kids film that only allow on loud, annoying and straight up nails to the skin humor.It's funny how the son in the movie is actually pretty smart then the father, and the father himself acts like his 14 years old. I don't know why but that always makes me laugh, like the really adult is actually the little boy and the real kid is the adult.My only problems with the film is some the poop Jokes and the other clichés that I named out at the beginning,they isn't a lot in the film but every time the movie makes a cheap poop Joke I won't lie a rolled me eyes.Get Santa has to be the biggest surprise of a movie from this year. The movie a good time with you family or children it's better then most of the rubbish kids films out there.From me to you, Merry Christmas everyone