The Santa Clause 2 Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)October 30th, 2002
THE SANTA CLAUSE 2
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 is a good-spirited movie that perfectly embodies the spirit of Christmas. It is wonderfully funny and even romantic, more so than many films which are marketed as romances. The only strange thing about the movie is its release date -- the first day of November. I don't know about your calendar, but mine still has Christmas pretty close to the end of December, which means that THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 is unlikely to still be playing on the day it celebrates. But this is no problem since everyday is a good day to get in the spirit of Christmas, and this poignantly sweet film will put you instantly in the mood.
Tim Allen repeats his role from the original as Scott Calvin, a.k.a. Santa Claus. The hook this time is that there is another clause to his contract. Buried in the fine print, the very fine print, is the requirement that he must get married before this Christmas begins. In order to fool the elves during his absence, Santa turns to an elf named Curtis (Spencer Breslin). Curtis cooks up a human-sized "Toy Santa" that looks something like the real thing but is made out of plastic. Allen hams it up Toy Santa, especially when Toy Santa discovers his dark side with the help of some supersized toy soldiers.
The set decoration for the movie uses a bright and inviting candy-colored scheme that looks like a Macy's window at Christmas. The animatronic reindeer are purposely hokey and humorously ridiculous.
The majority of the movie happens away from the North Pole. Scott goes back home to help out his son, Charlie Calvin (Eric Lloyd), a good kid who has managed to get himself on Santa's official "naughty list." While in town, Scott hopes to find himself a wife. The least likely candidate seems like Carol Newman (Elizabeth Mitchell), Charlie's strict principal. Okay, you guessed it.
The movie is a cornucopia of delights. My personal favorite is the Council of Legendary Figures who meet with Santa to vote on such issues as the Tooth Fairy's proposed new name. (Don't worry -- the vote to rename him "Roy" fails.) In addition to the Tooth Fairy, a guy with tiny wings who wears a World War I aviator suit, there is Cupid, Mother Earth, the Sandman and Father Time. This group is so cute that they should get their own movie.
In a film filled with magic, the most magical thing is that the studio has come up with a sequel that surpasses the original. Let's hope that everyone goes to see it before the HARRY POTTER/TWIN TOWERS juggernaut hits and fills every screen.
THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 runs 1:40. It is rated G and would be acceptable for all ages.
My son Jeffrey, age 13, gave it ***. He had a great time at the movie and laughed often. He said that he especially liked the way there were plenty of jokes for all ages.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, November 1, 2002. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC and the Century theaters.
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