THE SANTA CLAUSE

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: language, slapstick violence

Rated:

This is one Christmas flick that proves bein' Santa isn't all it's cracked up to be. Divorced and embittered toy-exec Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is stuck with his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) on Christmas Eve. He's thrilled with the idea since it will get Charlie away from his stepfather, a "shrink" who claims "Santa Clause doesn't exist," and give the two some genuine man to man bonding time. Unfortunately, Charlie isn't as excited about the prospect as his father is; in fact, he begs his mother to take him home early. After burning Christmas dinner, Scott is forced to take his son to Denny's. The future doesn't look bright. In fact, it gets downright bad when an unexpected visitor interrupts their peaceful sleep and leaves Scott responsible for manslaughter. 

You see, "on the roof there arose such a clatter," and Scott's ill-timed assault on the fat man dressed in a Santa suite causes the jolly old chap to fall to his death. Turning his back just for an instant to herd his son back inside, Scott realizes in horror "Santa" has disappeared, leaving only his suit and boots behind... and a sled pulled by six reindeer on the roof. This has got to be a joke, right? ... apparently it's not, and when Charlie insists dear old day play the part of Santa, things go from bad to worse. Is Scott part of some elaborate hoax, or has he just signed his life over to an unknown clause... the Santa Clause? Always good for a laugh, this film is good family entertainment with only a few flaws. Tim Allen is obviously having a great time going from sadistic, self-impressed Scott Calvin, an all around jerk, to the jolliest man of the year: the big SC. (Note their initials are strangely the same. Hmm...) 

Add Neil, a psychologist convinced Scott is in the midst of some mid-life crisis, some sarcastic elves, a few running gags, and some clichés, and you have The Santa Clause... the one movie your family will dig out every Christmas. Surprisingly low on content and big on laughs, even though the animatronics and special effects look dated, it's a fun film if you like tongue-in-cheek. There are a couple of notable mentions, however, primarily that Scott treats Neil with disrespect. He mocks his being a psychologist, makes sarcastic comments about his clothing, and even tells Charlie his stepfather's head is pointed. Scott talks about "looking for women" to tick his ex-wife off, says they "field-dressed a cat," mentions that a married employee has his secretary sitting on his knee, and whistles at a beautiful girl in a short skirt walking down the street. Violence is limited to a tumble off the roof, and language consists of one profanity, although there are a couple of flatulence jokes.

Somehow, every Christmas this makes it onto our must-see list. Part of it is because the script is unique and genuinely funny, and part of it is just because it's one of those films that gets under your skin and refuses to leave. It's a movie that kids will love while parents will get some of the jokes the children have overlooked. Then there is the added pleasure (horror?) of seeing Tim Allen in a fat suit. This one never redefined how I view the cheerful old man in a red suit, but it certainly has changed my impression of the title! You never know when someone just might pop down your chimney!