SANTA BABY

REVIEWED BY RISSI C.

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: mild innuendo, brief language

Rated:

“Santa Baby” is one of my favorite Christmas songs... maybe I should be a little more specific, it’s one of my favorite modern Christmas songs. Sure it can’t compare to the nostalgic feel we get when the first strains of “White Christmas” come on or the sweet sounds of “O Holy Night” begins, but there is just something about it. It’s upbeat and has a sound that just makes you want to dance around while decorating the house... which is the main reason this movie caught my eye; the title.

Does anyone over, say ten really believe there is such a thing as flying reindeer, elves that make toys and the big man in red? Well, successful business executive Mary Class (Jenny McCarthy) knows firsthand that all of that and more exists; she is Santa’s daughter and grew up right in the middle of any child’s fantasy world. It was that fantasy world that Mary couldn’t wait to get away from and except for a brief visit four years ago, she hasn’t been back home either. Right in the middle of one of her biggest advertising contracts, Mary gets a call from her mom telling her that her dad has just had a heart attack. Telling her assistant Donna (Kandyse McClure) that there is something she should know before Donna joins her on the trip, the two of them set off for a place that is very far north. 

Once Mary sets foot in her childhood home, she begins to change things to accommodate “progress” and isn’t about to have her plans thwarted by her parents, boyfriend or her old hometown sweetheart. This newly released Christmas tale is just as cute as its song. It has comic appeal and a reawakening for Mary of what really matters. For those of you that are looking for something completely different this year, this isn’t for you. To answer probably the one main question you may be wondering; yes, it’s predictable and yes, of course everything turns out as it should, after all it is just a jolly Christmas tale not a blockbuster hit! 

This is a combination of A Christmas Carol and Mr. St. Nick. Mary isn’t a very festive person at the beginning of the story; working on Thanksgiving despite friends urgings to actually celebrate the holiday. Which as we all know is “Scrooge” and the Mr. St. Nick comes into play with Mary’s new idea’s and her being a child of Santa. On the upside, the most comic appeal comes from the elves. Generally in “Santa” movies they are hard-working, dedicated and certainly wouldn’t be caught lounging around in their busiest time of year, but these elves are clumsy, fun and are hard not to like. Their every fifteen minute cookie break, inability to give positive “productivity reports” and excitement over receiving something from Santa’s daughter are amusing and you find yourself wondering what they’ll get into next. 

I particularly liked the character of Santa in this version. He loved his family yet had a stubborn side to him and was just jolly enough to be a good Santa. About ten to fifteen minutes before the end, an act that is done by him may be considered a little unrealistic, as it is a bit childish, but otherwise he’s likable. As a matter of fact that whole scene was a little corny; a man is leaving the Clause’s house and I found it particularly annoying that they didn’t snatch the “problem” right then and there, but than we wouldn’t have a story, would we? Growing up never believing in Santa Clause or the elves, I find it particularly fun to watch these types of movies that portray a fantastical world in which he lives and see exactly how filmmakers portray the famous fictional character. Especially the 1994 film Miracle on 34^th Street, it takes the truth that there isn’t a Santa Clause and “proves” that there is one. While a film meant to entertain still didn’t make me “believe” it was interesting to watch how the writer took the “legend” of Santa Clause and decided to tell a story that he does exist. 

The negative aspects are few and far between, but nonetheless are there. Mary asks an old boyfriend why he didn’t “try anything with her” on prom night, another woman brings a man his dinner and ends up “moving fast” with him we see her fall on him in his chair before the camera cuts away. On another occasion we hear a phone ringing and them sit up from a secluded area; suggesting they were probably making out. There is some brief language; a** is heard once. This is a fairly safe bet for families or to watch with your little sis, but should be watched together. Santa Baby is a cute Christmas movie that can best be summed up in a few words; it’s unsurprising, comic and yes, is just another piece of holiday fluff, but for myself and my family, we so enjoy watching movies at this time of year that it is refreshing to find some that you don’t have to think in, which is exactly what Santa Baby is, so if that is what you’re looking for, than snuggle up for the night and spend an hour and a half with Santa, Mrs. Clause, Mary and company.