The Santa Clause 2 Review
by Susan Granger (ssg722 AT aol DOT com)November 3rd, 2002
Susan Granger's review of "Santa Clause 2" (Walt Disney Films)
This whimsical, season-pushing sequel begins eight years after divorced dad Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) took over as Santa Claus. While things are thriving at the North Pole, Charlie (Eric Lloyd), the teenage son he left behind, turns up on the "Naughty" list, having aroused the ire of Carol Newman (Elizabeth Mitchell), the cynical school principal who's lost touch with the spirit of Christmas. Plus, Scott's just discovered a loophole in his contract: if he doesn't get married by December 24th, he'll have to give up chomping sugar cookies and chugging hot cocoa to go back to civilian life. It's the "Mrs. Clause" in tiny print. Not even a conference with Mother Nature, Father Time, the Easter Bunny, Cupid, the Sandman and the Tooth Fairy, who wants to change his name, can come up with an answer to the parental dilemma of juggling the demands of work and children. So, as the slow de-Santification process begins, Scott flies back to suburbia on a reindeer, leaving the elf Curtis (Spencer Breslin) with a recently-constructed and somewhat faulty duplicate Santa to do the seasonal preparations. But when militant toy soldiers start terrorizing the elves and enforcing the rules, complications ensue. Never fear, though, it's all quite heart-warming and sentimental. Even Charlie's deep-seated angst about keeping his father's occupation a secret is scarcely a full-fledged adolescent rebellion. Directed by Emmy award-winning Michael Lembeck ("Everybody Loves Raymond," "Friends"), it's fanciful, genial, G-rated fare - and Charlie's caring relationship with his little half-sister sets a sweet tone for blended families. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "Santa Clause 2" is a jolly, seasonal 7. But are you really ready for this snowy stocking-stuffer before you even buy the Thanksgiving turkey?
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