The
Santa Clause 2 Is Comin' to Town!The
Santa Clause 2 Is Comin' to Town!I really enjoyed The Santa Clause when it hit theaters during the holiday season in 1994. With the release of The Santa Clause 2 (in theaters Nov. 1) eight years later, though, I have the same, single criticism I had of the original back then. SANTA'S ELVES AREN'T PLAYED BY MIDGETS!!! Once again, they're played by little kids! Now, yeah, I know. It's great for all the children in the audience to see this movie and imagine themselves being Santa's little helpers. But, man, anytime you get a chance to use midgets in a film, you use them! You don't pass up that chance. Midgets ALWAYS make a movie better.
I know, I know. That's very small of me. No wonder the other mainstream critics dwarf me. Maybe I need a little breather. I don't want a flood of emails that cut me down to size. That one tiny criticism aside ... AHHH! I can't stop myself from making little-people puns!
[SMACK! QUICK SLAP ACROSS THE FACE.]
OK, that's better. Real sorry there. I'm back. Serious film criticism coming your way next. The Santa Clause 2is a terrific holiday movie that would have been all the more terrific had it actually been released during what I consider the holiday season. I mean, jeez, we haven't even had Halloween yet. OK, sometimes I see these previews a little too early. The movie DOES open the day after Halloween, which The Walt Disney Company is hoping to make the official kick-off for the holidays this year with the release of this movie. I can dig it.
Tim Allen once again stars as Scott Calvin, the guy who inadvertently killed Santa eight years ago, then found a card in his pocket that notified the bearer that the so-called "Santa Clause" was now in effect and HE was the new St. Nick. The movie was most delightful, taking a cynical, divorced dad and turning him into the most beloved of all legends.
As The Santa Clause 2 opens, Scott has now matured into the job and loves his life in the North Pole, hanging out with the elves, making toys, drinking cocoa, and gearing up for the approaching holiday. But he misses his son, Charlie, and is shocked to find him on this year's "Naughty" list. After checking the list twice, Scott/Santa decides to return to his hometown and help his ex-wife (Wendy Crewson) and her husband (Judge Reinhold, who looks like he should ask Santa to leave a blow dryer and some hair gel under the tree this year) straighten the troubled lad out. One problem. There is a second "Santa Clause" he knew nothing about. This new rule dictates that he has only 28 days (the night before Christmas) to find a Mrs. Clause (GULP! Re-marry!) or Santa will cease to exist.
As with the first film, there is a lot in the sequel that will appeal to both children and grown-ups. The first film had that great scene with all the divorced dads having dinner with their kids at the local Denny's on Christmas Eve. The original also showed for the first time how Santa gets down different size chimneys, how Santa is able to deliver toys all over the world in one night ("Santa Magic"), and it introduced the first lactose-intolerant Santa. The new film has two scenes in particular that grown-ups are just gonna adore. I won't ruin either, except to say that lovers of other mythic beings (especially the Tooth Fairy ... no not the "Hannibal" villain) and fans of classic toys from the '60s, '70s, and '80s will just have big goofy grins on their faces after this movie is over. There are also some clever nods to submarine movies, "Star Trek," and the last two "Star Wars" prequels that had me giggling throughout.
All of the characters are back from the first film, and the special effects are once again a delight. Phil Tippett's animatronic reindeer still amuse with their old-style goofiness, particularly the chocolate-loving, practically indecipherable Comet. And director Michael Lembeck is just in love with Tony Burrough's Rockwell-eque production design. His camera glides over every inch of the winter wonderland sets and locales chosen for the film, especially the impressive Santa's Workshop.
Allen is also in fine form, as he gets to play both a romantic lead opposite the radiant Elizabeth Mitchell and an improv artist in scenes where he appears as a life-sized plastic Santa clone that Scott leaves behind to watch over things at the Pole. Unfortunately, the plastic Santa develops a Patton complex and begins to assemble a toy soldier army to enforce his despotic rule.
The Santa Clause 2 is one of those rare, G-rated holiday films that gets to have it both ways. It's naughty AND nice. It's also a heck of a lotta fun. But I recommend you wait until it's a little closer to the actual holiday season to check it out. As Santa might say: Beware the dangers of opening packages too soon!
The Santa Clause 2 is rated G and has a running time of 98 minutes. A must-see for families!
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