I can see people's ratings! Could ciao have actually fixed something?
I can see people's ratings! Could ciao have actually fixed something?
Member since:05.05.2005
Reviews:962
Members who trust:374
Scott Calvin works for a toy firm while struggling with his ex-wife for custody of his son, Charlie. When Charlie comes to spend Christmas with him, Scott is 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 that go along with it?
Although this is very 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 to let it, of course! His change of appearance during the course of the film is quite amazing - he starts off looking like an ordinary man, but ends up looking like a
real Santa! He is ably assisted by Eric Lloyd, who plays Charlie. I often find child actors annoying, but Lloyd manages to play it cute, without being too over the top.
Judge Reinhold is also good as Charlie's stepfather,Dr Neil Miller. A psychologist, he is always quick to score points off Scott, particularly where Charlie is concerned. Reinhold is smug enough to be the bad guy, but does it with enough humour to be entertaining rather than irritating. His on-screen wife and Charlie's mother, played by Wendy Crewson, is less appealing - she doesn't do anything wrong, but she is a fairly dull character, constantly wanting to think the worst of her ex-husband.
The wonderful Peter Boyle (Everybody Loves Raymond) has a brief role as Scott's boss - I would have loved to have seen more of him. Finally, David Krumholtz, who plays Bernard (stress on the second syllable in the American way!) the Elf and Paige Tamada, who plays Judy the Elf deserve a mention - if only because they look so sweet! I can only imagine the fun they must have had making the film.
This is a Disney film and it feels like one from start to finish. The moral message is there - good will always win over evil and those who tell the truth will always prevail. However, it isn't too in your face, and although sometimes sickly sweet, the magical atmosphere more than makes up for it. The film was made in 1994, and so the special effects occasionally look a bit fake, but on the whole, they are more than good enough to do the job required. Tim Allen's transformation is particularly good - I honestly thought he must have gained huge amounts of weight for the role, but apparently that is not the case.
This is a Christmas film aimed at children and adults who want a bit of Christmas fun - it is therefore not going to appeal to everyone. It certainly does get very silly at times, and I don't think I could watch it more than once a year, if that often. However, for some light-hearted entertainment around Christmas when you are prepared to let your hair down, you can't really go that far wrong with this. I'm looking forward to when my niece is old enough to appreciate it - then I've got a valid excuse to watch it! I suppose some very young children may be upset by the old Santa dying at the beginning of the film, but this is obviously something for parents to judge.
There are some special features on the DVD along with the film that will no doubt keep children occupied for an extra half hour or so. The first is a training day for Santa's elves, run by Bernard the Elf. Then there is an interactive game, which involves pressing the arrow keys on the remote control to drop Christmas gifts for children. For those who like making things, someone called Wolfgang helps a group of children make Christmas snacks, such as cookies and cocoa - my only gripe with this is that the ingredients aren't listed in the feature, and it is necessary to click through to a separate page to find out what ingredients are needed. Thankfully, there is a warning for children not to cook without adult supervision - much as I think children should be allowed to be creative, I wouldn't want them set loose in my kitchen! Finally, there is a sneak preview of The Santa Clause 2.
This isn't a film for the 'bah humbug' type, but I think most other adults and children will find something to enjoy in it, provided that they are prepared to suspend disbelief and enter into the Christmas atmosphere while watching. I don't think I will ever be adding it to my DVD collection - I can borrow it from my mum when I want to watch it, and no doubt it will be on television before much longer anyway - but I did enjoy it and definitely recommend it to anyone wanting some Christmas spirit.
The DVD is available from play.com for £3.99, including free delivery.
Classification: U
Running time: 97 minutes
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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
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
Not sure if I fall into the "bah humbug type" category, but yes, on occasion I have actually enjoyed this and other "festive" offerings - I actually prefer them to all the thrillers and "action" movies! Richard.
IzzyS 19.11.2008 12:48
Good review. I like Tim Allen (lol)
headcase44 18.11.2008 22:29
Please I need to know something !! are you telling me that the real Santa is .... dead ! I am heartbroken and have cried so much since reading your review .... what will I do now ? J.
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...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![The Santa Clause [DVD] [1995]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78526774.jpg "The Santa Clause [DVD] [1995]")
very helpful by (100%):
