The first of 3 movies The Santa Clause sees business man and father Scott Calvin trying to cope with not only his ex-wife and her new husband but also his young son Charlie who has come to stay over at his home for Christmas. Scott is not very family minded, staying late at a works party rather ... Read review
Tim Allen makes an impressive screen debut in Disney's well-written seasonal filmThe Santa ... more
Clause. Divorced toy company executive Scott Calvin is pleased to have his son Charlie for Christmas, though the boy himself isn't happy about it. But when Santa...
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Tim Allen makes an impressive screen debut in Disney's well-written seasonal filmThe Santa ... more
Clause. Divorced toy company executive Scott Calvin is pleased to have his son Charlie for Christmas, though the boy himself isn't happy about it. But when Santa...
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Superstar comedian and Golden Globe winner Tim Allen shines bright in Disney's magical, ... more
larger-than-life hit comedy.Rooftop clatter leads to merry adventure after Santa falls down on the job, and Scott Calvin's son Charlie convinces dad to try on the r...
It's the night before Christmas when toy salesman Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) finds himself ... more
in an awkward predicament. The real Santa Claus has fallen off his roof and his "emergency card" instructs Scott to take his place. But by putting on the Santa sui...
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Walt Disney Pictures presents an all-new comedy adventure brimming with holiday cheer, ... more
chuckles and all the other Christmas stuff - Santa, the North Pole, elves, reindeer, toys and presents. Tim Allen returns as everybody's favourite modern-day Santa in The Santa Clause 2. Scott Calvin (Allen) has been Santa Claus for the past eight years, and his loyal elves consider him to be the best one ever. But Santa's world is turned upside down when his son Charlie lands on this year's 'naughty' list, and Scott discovers that if he doesn't marry by Christmas Eve - just a month away - he'll stop being Santa forever. Embracing Christmas with all its heart, warmth, fun and adventure, The Santa Clause 2 is the perfect holiday classic for the entire family.
Tim Allen is back in the big red suit for more adventure and laughs in Disney's hilarious ... more
family comedy. Get ready for a thrilling sleigh ride as the reluctant Santa Claus faces his most chilling and hysterical challenge yet. As Christmas nears, Scott Calvin invites his in-laws (Ann-Margret and Alan Arkin) to join the festivities. The holidays take a chaotic turn when Scott discovers a way out of his Santa Clause and the mischievous Jack Frost (Martin Short) puts the big freeze on Christmas' big cheese! Unless Scott can save the day, it's going to be a very chilly Frostmas at the North Pole and all around the world. Will Scott be able to get his job back in the St. Nick of time? Celebrate Christmas with The Santa Clause3: The Escape Clause, complete with exclusive bonus materials, including a musical Christmas Carol-oke feature. It's a gift the whole family will treasure.
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Production Year: 1956 - Comedy - Director: Joshua Logan - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Don Murray, Betty Field, Hope Lange, Eileen Heckart, Arthur O'Connell, Casey Adams, Hans Conried, Robert Bray
Advantages: Good fun family film Disadvantages: Not as good as the sequel
The first of 3 movies The Santa Clause sees business man and father Scott Calvin trying to cope with not only his ex-wife and her new husband but also his young son Charlie who has come to stay over at his home for Christmas. Scott is not very family minded, staying late at a works party rather then arrive home in time for his son to be dropped off. Things are looking bad for Charlie's Christmas with his dad when Scott burns their dinner and they ... ...before settling him down for the night. However a noise on the roof wakes the young boy and Scott goes outside to investigate, when Scott disturbs the man on the roof he sets in motion a series of events that will change his life forever.
The fallen man disappears leaving only his Santa suit and a business card behind, bewildered Scott looks around for the man while Charlie climbs on the roof and discovers a sleigh and reindeer, he ... more
The first of 3 movies The Santa Clause sees business man and father Scott Calvin trying to cope with not only his ex-wife and her new husband but also his young son Charlie who has come to stay over at his home for Christmas. Scott is not very family minded, staying late at a works party rather then arrive home in time for his son to be dropped off. Things are looking bad for Charlie's Christmas with his dad when Scott burns their dinner and they end up having lunch in a diner, later that evening Scott reads Charlie a bed time story before settling him down for the night. However a noise on the roof wakes the young boy and Scott goes outside to investigate, when Scott disturbs the man on the roof he sets in motion a series of events that will change his life forever.
The fallen man disappears leaving only his Santa suit and a business card behind, bewildered Scott looks around for the man while Charlie climbs on the roof and discovers a sleigh and reindeer, he convinces his reluctant father to put on the suit and suddenly they are whisked away in the sleigh to a neighbouring house where Scott, having picked up what looked like an empty sack, ends up delivering a Christmas present. The evening continues this way until finally it seems all the gifts are delivered, thinking they will be returned home Scott relaxes but is surprised to find them at the North Pole in Santa's workshop surrounded by elves. Scott does not believe in Santa and refuses to accept that by putting on the suit he has become the new Santa Claus.
After a nights sleep Scott and Charlie are returned home, Charlie remembers the night vividly but Scott thinks it was just a dream. As Charlie takes delight in telling his family and friends that his father is Santa Claus, Scott finds his life becoming increasingly difficult, he's putting on weight and has an uncontrollable beard but worst of his problems is that his ex-wife and her partner believe Scott has become dangerous for Charlie to be around and start proceedings to take away his access.
The movie follows Scott's transformation into Santa and his gradual shift from non-believer to accepting his fate, we also follow his battle to see his son and convince those around him that he's not such a bad influence after all. With a little help from his new reindeer and elf friends Scott manages Christmas but will he see his son again?
The cast- Tim Allen plays the part of Scott Calvin and is a far cry from his bumbling character of Tim Taylor in Disney's Home Improvements, Scott is selfish and business obsessed, bitter about his divorce and unable to properly care for his child. He is reluctant as a father and in his new role as Santa being unable to believe in the elves and their world, his transformation into a believer is amusingly managed as we first see him trying to understand the changes in his body, then trying to work out children's sudden fascination with him, he tries to battle against these changes as not only are they strange and unusual but are also a threat to his relationship with his son. Allen manages the role with the correct level comedy, the character is believable in his struggle to understand what has happened to him. Eric Lloyd plays his young son Charlie, he does a good job as the boy but as with many child actors isn't quite as convincing as their adult counterparts, there are moments when his voice becomes incredibly whiny and annoying and you wish they'd perhaps cast someone like Jake Lloyd instead.
Jude Reinhold plays Neil, one of my favourite characters, who is the new husband of Scott's ex wife. His character is a psychologist who stopped believing in Santa at the age of 3, he is the butt of most of Scott's jokes and snipes throughout the movie but becomes truly adorable at the end of the movie when he finally gets the Christmas present he missed out on as a toddler. Wendy Crewson as Laura is not a particularly strong character in that she doesn't really stand out against the rest, rather she provides the support that the story needs in order to carry the custody battle issue.
David Krumholtz is Bernard the head elf at the North Pole and is by far the strongest of the characters, he handles the elves with strict authority yet is able to treat Charlie gently as a child while desperately trying to convince Scott that he is indeed Santa. His character is likeable and amusing and inevitably helps Scott get through.
My Opinion- This is quite a likeable Christmas film using a different way of telling a Santa Claus story, seeing how Santa comes into being and is actually normal a everyday man before an unfortunate accident. It's fun to see how Scott copes with all the changes both physically and mentally and how it effects his life and relationships. The movie does tackle a slightly more major issue in the form of the custody battle which sees Scott facing life without seeing his son, you can understand why Laura and Neil would be concerned at the unusual changes in Scott's appearance and behaviour and as a viewer find it a little sad that they don't know what you know, that he is in fact Santa and is transforming from the selfish man he used to be into a more caring person.
The casting in the movie is quite good, while Allen is the lead he does not take any of the spotlight away from other characters such as Bernard and Neil, or even Comet the reindeer who gives Santa a very hard time in the beginning. The movie is well balanced as far as the characters go and the children cast as Santa's elves give a youthful charm to characters meant to be thousands of years old.
There is a small degree of special effects in the movie, mainly representing the physical changes in Scott as he goes from relatively slim and health conscious to overweight and aging in appearance, these changes are convincing and at no point do you think that the extra weight or beard etc looks fake. The reindeer aren't exactly convincing as real life animals, rather they have a more comical and animated appearance which I thought was a shame as movies such as Santa Claus The Movie manage to use real animals and convincing animatronics to great effect.
The main setting for the movie is based around homes and the city however the setting for the north pole is incredible, Santa's workshop is a true fantasyland full of bright and shining colours and a real feel of Christmas, while every Santa movie represents the north pole differently I think this movie does a great job capturing what every child imagines as the home of Santa and his helpers.
Overall I think this is a thoroughly enjoyable Christmas movie, it's not my favourite and I do prefer the 2nd in the series to this one as Scott is Santa all the way through in that film whereas in this one he has to accept and become Santa. The story is interesting and doesn't just focus on the sentimentality of Christmas but also manages to bring a lot of humour to the screen. It's a great family film although younger children may not have an interest in it, my children are 3 and 18 months and the movie is not quite bright and shiny enough for them despite the wonderful north pole setting and the elves, they are not quite old enough to grasp the concept of the story but older children will enjoy it and it's great to sit down on a winters afternoon to watch together.
Price & availability- This movie is available on it's own, with the 2nd movie in a box set and now with the 2nd and 3rd movies in a box set, the single version is hard to find now but with the box set of 2 starting from £11.36 on Amazon or the box set of 3 costing £20 at Asda you're just as well off buying a set as you get more movies for your money.
Advantages: Entertaining for adults and children Disadvantages: Silly...but what do you expect?
...reluctant to join in with the Christmas spirit. Then on Christmas Eve he accidentally kills Santa by knocking him off the roof, and, by wearing Santa's clothes, immediately enters into a contract to replace him. But after an evening of delivering presents with Charlie, Scott puts it all down to a dream...until the next year when he suddenly puts on weight and begins to resemble Santa Claus. Will he accept that he is now Santa Claus and the responsiblities ... ...far from the type of film I would usually watch - I like horrors and thrillers - there is something about the run up to Christmas that makes me want to watch something frivolous and light-hearted. And Tim Allen really is great as Scott/Santa. Although he is not as wonderfully sarcastic as he is in Home Improvement, for example, he does bring some gentle humour to the role, and somehow manages to make the role seem convincing - provided you're willing ...
sunmeilan 18.11.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Santa Clause (DVD)
Advantages: A lovely Childrens Film Full Of The Magic Of Christmas Disadvantages: It Does Say That Grown Ups Don't BElieve In Santa
...and I get to watch The Santa Clause 2 with him instead!!
Starring - Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson & Peter Boyle
Story
This is the story of Scott Calvin, big time business man in the world of toy making, not so great father to his young son Charlie.
He is divorced from his wife who has since re-married a psychiatrist Neil, and this Christmas is his year to have Charlie to stay Christmas eve.
Now everything begins when Scott tries to ... ...They go home and read the classic "The Night Before Christmas" with the Rose suchack ladder (arose such a clatter - you'll understand later) then off to bed.
Charlie is woken in the night by a thump on the roof, (is it Santa??) and runs into his dads room to tell him he heard a clatter outside, Scott goes outside to see a man in red standing by his chimney, he shouts at him and the man loses his footing and falls off the roof. Oh dear Scott seems ...
jakes-mum 19.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Santa Clause (DVD)
Advantages: Tim Allen Disadvantages: Annoying children
...two ago on BBC1, called THE SANTA CLAUSE. This movie was released in 1994 and stars Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, a father who finds himself literally 'becoming' Santa Claus after Santa comes a cropper on Calvin's roof.
The film is quite amusing, but this is largely down to the screen personality of Tim Allen, who I always enjoyed in his television sitcom HOME IMPROVEMENT. In comparison to the other Christmas movie I have seen in the last few days ... ...This is mainly down to the fact that Allen can DO comedy (he began his career as a stand-up comedian) whereas Arnold Schwarzenegger really can't.
The special effects in the film are quite good, as are the make-up effects. As Calvin gradually turns into Santa Claus he gains weight, grows a beard, and his hair turns pure white. This transformation is very realistic, and in the interim period between looking like the trim Tim Allen and the heavyweight ...
phurren2006 29.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Santa Clause (DVD)
Advantages: christmas cheer, suitable for all the family, good cast Disadvantages: could cause some problem questions about the truth in Santa
...it was back then.
The Plot:
Charlie Calvin is reluctantly spending chirstmas eve at his dad's house (Tim Allen), when, during the night his dad accidentally kills santa when he is visting their house. What follows next is Charlie's dad, Scott, trying to deliver all the presents and do santa's job for the night. Upon finishing the night he is convinced that it is all just a dream and tries to forget about it.
However, during the next few months ... ...appearance in order to win the love of his son. What follows is the ultimate test, can Scott really believe that he is Santa and fulfil his job, or will children all round the world be left disappointed on christmas morning?
The Cast:
Tim Allen ... Scott Calvin / Santa Claus Wendy Crewson ... Laura Calvin Miller Judge Reinhold ... Dr. Neil Miller Eric Lloyd ... Charlie Calvin David Krumholtz ... Bernard the Elf The Special Effects:
The effects ...
nikki-martin 11.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Santa Clause (DVD)
The Santa Clause is an extremely funny move which is about how Santa dies and Scott Calvin (Tim Allen, Home Improvement, Santa Clause 2, The Shaggy Dog) has to replace him. The film is very long. The best parts are when Scott and his son first go to the North Pole, when Scott and his ex-wife think their son is crazy and when Scott gets the naughty and nice list in over 500 boxes. If your kid still believes in Santa this would be the perfect gift ...
TerryMan123 07.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Santa Clause (DVD)
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This Is a DVD what comes off the shelf every year, so from when it first came out in 1985 I've been watching it every year, got to say it's one of my best.
30 years old and still has that bit inside me saying I still believe in Santa - sad I know -
Well here goes - Once upon a time, long long ago, a toymaker was given amazing powers and was chosen to live in the NORTH POLE - wish it was me - anyway on with the story, with the elves to deliver gifts to children all around the world.
SO SANTACLAUS,THE MOST BELOVED OF LEGENDS WAS BORN.
SantaClaus, his wife Anya, Patch ( the great Dudley Moore) and the other little elves live happily together in NORTH POLE - arrr isn't that nice - until Patch leaves to make it on his own in NEW YORK. There he meets the RUTHLESS and GREEDY toy maker B.Z ( John Lithgow ) who tricks him into helping ...
Advantages: It just epitomises Christmas Disadvantages: None - don't believe those American critics
SANTACLAUS THE MOVIE (1985)
DVD (2007) REVIEW
"A prophecy has come to pass, that there would come to us a Chosen One, and that he, having no child of his own, would love all children everywhere, and that he himself would be an artist and a craftsman."
INTRODUCTION
I am like a kid when it comes to Christmas, I just love it; I love the family getting together, the Christmas services, the carols, lights, the decorations, the children's faces, the food, the excitement and so much more.
I also look forward to the Christmas season as a time when we get to watch a lot of my favourite Christmas films.
Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without watching my favourite of all - "SantaClaus - The Movie" - I've shared it with my children and my children's children and it's nothing short of magical ...
Advantages: The most convincing Santa ever(yes i know it March) Disadvantages: Dodgy bad guy motive "Christmas 2!" Slightly dated.
As a young girl christmas eve would be spent excitedly waiting night time to come, not just because santa would be coming to leave me lots of lovely presents but because it would mean taking part in one of my favourite traditions- sitting down with my parents and siblings to watch SantaClaus the movie. Out would come all the snacks and a hot chocolate and we'd pile onto the sofa to put in the video(or frequently watch it on tv) now as a grown up i carry on the tradition with my own children and still watch it every christmas eve.
Now some people reading this review will be wondering why on earth im reviewing a christmas film in march. Well im a sentimental old fool who could watch it at anytime of the year, its certainly a feel good movie.
The Story-
The story begins hundreds of years ago, where Claus is an aging woodcutter who ...
Toy salesman Scott Calvin finds himself in a tricky situation when Santa Clause falls from his roof. Santa's 'emergency card' instructs Scott to take his place but, by putting on the Santa suit, he takes on all the responsibilities of the job...
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
WALT DISNEY HOME VIDEO; WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINM, WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINM; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Release date
02/10/2006, 05/02/2001
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
BED 888596, D 888258
Barcode
5017188885966, 5017188882583
Screenwriter
Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick
Composer
Michael Convertino
Director of Photography
Walt Lloyd
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Interactive Games - 1. MAKING SANTA SNACKS, 2. SO YOU WANNA BE AN ELF, 3. SANTA'S HELPER, Interactive Menu, Scene Access
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Aspect Ratio
Full Screen
Professional reviews
Review
"...A clever, entertaining children's film with a realistic edge and a minimum of seasonal mush....[Leads Allen] to bright prospects on the big screen..." (New York Times, p.C24, 11/11/1994)
DVD Description
When Santa Claus gets killed in a freak accident after being startled on the rooftop of a house, it looks like Christmas is ruined. But fortunately, just before his death, the jolly, gift-giver passed the torch to ad executive Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), who finishes the job of bestowing holiday cheer on all. When he finally reaches on the North Pole, however, Scott learns that he can't give up the job -- he's become the next Santa Claus. (THAT'S the Santa Clause!). Scott returns home, only to find himself slowly changing into the pudgy, white-haired old man so beloved of children... and to find that everyone around him considers him utterly and completely mad.
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