TownRootGuy
Not that that's saying much. It has eye candy, decent FX AND it gives the gift of laughter throughout but it was better in the 90's. Crewson was hot in this one so that helps. There's just too much kid-targeted junk to rate this any higher. Still, it's good enough to make the 2 - 3 year re-watch rotation.
n-mo
It is difficult for me, for personal reasons which I suppose readers will easily deduce, to give a positive review of a "Christmas" movie with no religious connotations. Nevertheless, "The Santa Clause" does manage to capture something charming if banal and fleeting of the tender deconfessionalized "holiday season" folklore of a Middle America that now seems an ever-more-distant memory.Perhaps its passing was inevitable, and perhaps even a good thing in at least some respects, but the nostalgia for the snow, Santa Claus imagery and brightly-wrapped toys is hard to shake, and "The Santa Clause" delivers well on those points. It's an amusing take on the pop culture Santa folklore of old Grinch/Rankin-Bass-type Christmas specials, where the "magic" of the North Pole appears to be taken in stride by all the civilians who cross its path. The adults in "The Santa Clause" suppose themselves to live in a straight-laced, Newtonian world in which "magic" does not exist, and the juxtaposition of their cynicism with the "reality" of Jolly Old St. Nick and his operation is fun to watch. Tim Allen is perfect as the fun-loving but inattentive and distant father suddenly forced, ironically, to "grow up" as he is thrust into the ultimate role of responsibility within the world of the childhood imagination, and the support cast's reactions to his irresponsibility, his confusion and his frustration is impeccable.And whatever the film lacks in conveying the ACTUAL meaning of Christmas, it does perhaps make up for in its subtle commentaries about the state of America and of the American family by the 1990s: lack of attachment, obsession with careerism and conformism, stiff-necked and anti-paternal divorce and custody policies, devaluing or discounting of creative imagination and so forth.Nowadays it is often considered a Christmas classic. I probably won't show it to my own children, but it's a fun trip down memory lane for those of us who remember that old, simpler America in its twilight.
soundtechpro
I love this movie and do not understand why it doesn't get a higher rating. I was 29 years old when this movie was released and I thought it hit all the right notes. I expands the story of how Santa Clause continues forever and answers all the questions that kids ask. The scene where Tim Allen's character (Charles Calvin) is reading "The Night Before Christmas" and Charli begins asking how do reindeers fly, how does Santa get down the chimney, what if they don't have a chimney is just precious because every child has asked those questions. And Calvin's answer that sometimes you just have to believe is so appropriate. I love the magic snow globe that allows Charlie to call for his dad at anytime. I love the storyline, love getting to see the North Pole and Santas home. The only one part I felt took away from the movie a little and that was the jail rescue. But I understand they needed a little more drama for the movie to be longer. Overall this is a Fantastic Family Friendly Movie. Tim Allen is a fantastic in this movie. Anyhow, I purchased this to add to my Christmas movie collection. And watch it every year along with: It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story (reminds me of my family at Christmas...I am one of six children and grew up in the 70s),Miracle on 34th Street (the original), A Christmas Carol (TNT-starring Patrick Stewart which I feel is the best version ever), How The Grinch Stolr Christmas (both animated and Ron Howard starring Jim Carrey), Charlie Brown Christmas, and ELF.
namashi_1
'The Santa Clause' is an undemanding, simple & sweet film, that entertains its viewer. Its amongst the better films based on the lovable Christmas legend. 'The Santa Clause' Synopsis: When a man inadvertently kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.We all grew up on Santa & We still live the magic of Christmas. 'The Santa Clause' celebrates the spirit of Santa. It takes us to North Pole & depicts the magic of it. Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick & Karey Kirkpatrick's Screenplay is celebratory & entertaining. John Pasquin's Direction is perfect. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are awesome.Performance-Wise: Tim Allen is terrific as Santa Clause. He's the life of the show. Eric Lloyd is adorable. Wendy Crewson is effective. Judge Reinhold is okay. The Late/Great Peter Boyle is good in a brief role.On the whole, 'The Santa Clause' is a film that touches the core of your heart.
AD
