Starring: Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Eric Lloyd
Director: Michael Lembeck
Producers: William W. Wilson III, Jimmy Miller, Brian Reilly
Writers: Ed Decter, John J. Strauss, Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick
MPAA Rating: G for General Audiences.
Distributors: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Tim Allen is back in the big red suit for a third time. In the final installment of The Santa Clause Trilogy Santa is trying to juggle the impending arrival of Christmas, a very pregnant Mrs. Claus (Elizabeth Mitchell), his ex-wife and her family, and the in laws. What a perfect opportunity for Jack Frost (Martin Short) to wreak havoc and take over Christmas. He makes the North Pole into a vacation resort with attractions like “Shave a Reindeer for Five Dollars”. Do I really need to say any more? Will Santa be able to save the day? Is Santa fat and jolly?
Tim Allen basically plays himself, which is all he ever does which was fine ten years ago for Home Improvement. But, this is the new millennium and Mr. Allen really needs to get a new schtick. He even does the classic Tim Taylor grunt. Now I don't mean to bash his acting ability because let's face it, he has made more money than I will ever see, but actors do need to grow a little. Martin Short is perfect as Jack Frost, conniving and mischievous and yet fun at the same time. A master manipulator, he plays Mrs. Claus against Santa in order to make him wish he never had become Santa in the first place, which allows him to take Santa's place. Supporting cast includes Elizabeth Mitchell who you may know as one of the Others on Lost but who will always remain one of the pedophiles in Running Scared to me, Judge Reinhold, Liliana Mumy, Ann-Margret and Alan Arkin. With cameos by Art LaFluer, Aisha Tyler, Kevin Pollack, Peter Boyle and Michael Dorn as the Legendary Figures or something like that.
I guess that there isn't really a whole lot to say about this film. It's a standard Disney sequel that seems to hit all the bases without being extraordinary. A decent amount of humor, some slight tugging at the heartstrings, great sets and costumes, and some hilarious outtakes are really all this film has to offer. I can't compare it to the first two because I haven't seen the second yet(it's actually sitting on the counter along with the first right now) and it has been quite a few years since I have seen the the original Santa Clause.
I will say that I enjoyed it but there are far better movies to spend your money on this month. If you don't have kids, wait for this one on DVD.
Until Tim Allen stars in The Nightmare Before Christmas 2: Jack's Back,
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