The Santa Clause
From AwardAnnals
| Film: | The Santa Clause |
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| Director: | John Pasquin |
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| Distributor: | Walt Disney Video |
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Reviews
Amazon.com
Tim Allen makes an impressive screen debut in Disney’s well-written holiday film, The Santa 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 Claus accidentally topples off the roof of the house and falls with a thud in the snow, Scott finds himself taking the merry old elf’s place and earning new respect in his son’s eyes. When the night ends, the reindeer take them to the North Pole, and Scott discovers that by donning the fabled red suit, he’s inadvertently agreed to become the next Santa Claus. The next morning he wakes up in his own bed and thinks it’s all a dream—but Charlie remembers it with crystal clarity. Scott now has to deal with his suspicious ex-wife (Wendy Crewson) and her psychiatrist boyfriend (Judge Reinhold), who both think he’s playing tricks with Charlie’s mind, and also with his own out-of-control body, which is putting on weight and growing a prodigious beard. The Santa Clause probably won’t supplant It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street as anyone’s favourite Christmas film, but it’s an enjoyable, straightforward family film, anchored by the affable charisma of Allen. —Bret Fetzer
Barnes and Noble
Many critics said, “Bah, humbug” to this 1994 live-action fantasy, but it made believers out of millions of enchanted viewers. Tim Allen, the Golden Globe-winning star of Home Improvement, launched his film career with this heartwarming fantasy. Allen stars as Scott Calvin, a divorced toy company executive who rediscovers his Christmas spirit when he reluctantly agrees to take over as Santa when the Big Guy falls from his roof. Viewing Calvin’s considerable weight gain and new flowing white beard as mere peculiarities, his ex-wife and her new husband (a psychiatrist) think he is delusional and move to end his custody of his adoring young son. In addition, Calvin has to deal with the officious top elf, Bernard, portrayed by David Krumholtz with scene-stealing glee. The fantastic special effects bring to life a bustling North Pole and reveal how Santa magically goes about his business. While The Santa Clause has long been a perennial bestseller on VHS, the DVD edition is a definite home (video) improvement. Among the fun supplemental features is the game “Santa’s Helper,” in which players guide Santa’s sleigh. In another delicious segment, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck cooks up “Santa Snacks.” Donald Liebenson
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