The Santa Clause (1994)

If you are looking for a great, feel-good holiday movie that everyone can enjoy, this is your movie. It is not just another typical cartoon, though. There is a nice mix of comedy, drama, and great holiday fun to turn this into the next holiday classic.

We begin with Scott Calvin, a divorced businessman with a child. His wife has got another man in her life that Charlie, their son, looks up to, while Scott is still alone. It is Scott's turn to take Charlie for Christmas that year, but Charlie is less than enthusiastic about staying with his work-involved, unattentive father. Nothing goes well for them that night with dinner (it is actually quite a humorous affair), and you can sense the distance between the father and son.

Later on that night is when things change. Scott scares Santa Claus into falling off of the roof. Charlie nags Scott into putting on the Santa suit and getting into the sleigh. From that point, there is non-stop action until morning as Scott finishes up Santa's job. At the North Pole later that night, Scott finds out that he is now subject to the Santa Clause and that he has become the new Santa whether he wants to be or not.

The next morning, Scott wakes up and assumes that it was all a great big dream. He is in for a rude awakening, though, when Charlie remembers the whole thing and insists that it happened. Scott spends the year denying that tey took a trip to the North Pole. All the while, his body undergoes some pretty hilarious changes in preparation for the upcoming Christmas.

Along with Tim Allen as Scott Calvin/Santa Claus and Eric Lloyd as a very cute little Charlie, there is a great supporting cast to add to the movie. Judge Reinhold plays as Charlie's role model and his mother's (played by Wendy Crewson) new boyfriend. He is a dull psychiatrist that manages to add his own humor to the story with his disbelief of Christmas and his loud sweaters. There is also the unforgettable David Krumholtz as the elf Bernard. Bernard has been around for quite a long time (just ask him) and has dealt with more than one Santa. Charlie takes a liking to him and he becomes a very integral part of the movie.

This is a great holiday movie for anyone and everyone. The blend of comedy, fantasy, and touching real-life issues (like family and divorce) will make it an instant classic.

If the summer weather is getting to you and you start to long for snow and Christmas cookies with hot apple cider, this is just the movie to awaken that inner child who is still fascinated with life and believes in magic.

The scene is set for a rather bleak Christmas. Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) plays the part of a divorced toy company executive who wants to spend Christmas with his son. Charlie is not exactly thrilled with the prospects of his father's culinary talents and they opt out for dinner at Denny's. Later that evening after Scott has read The Night Before Christmas to Charlie, Charlie awakens to the "clattering" on the roof. Scott runs outside to find reindeer on his roof and Santa who then suddenly falls off the roof. Ooopps.

So, what will happen to all the presents and who will deliver them? Scott puts on the red suit and by doing so enters into the" Santa Clause" and must be the next Santa. In order to prepare for his duties, he physically changes into the jolly Santa everyone loves. Scott mentions a few "versions" of Santa Claus who are loved by millions of children all over the world. This legendary figure is portrayed in this movie as a jolly, stout man with a twinkle in his eye, rosy-red cheeks and a cheerful laugh. This is the American adaptation of the European legend of Saint Nicholas.

Though he may look a bit different in each country and be called many names, to children of all countries his message is the same. They peek out the windows and hope to catch a glimpse of this special man as he flies through the sky, delivering gifts for boys and girls they will get to open on Christmas Day.

There are many enjoyable witty lines executed so well by Tim Allen. The script is superb and memorable. The classic "Tim" with fire extinguisher in hand to save the flaming family turkey is a must see. Charlie himself says some pretty funny one liners and is quite the actor in this movie. The elves are also adorable and they come to the rescue at a moments notice.

A very enjoyable family comedy you can laugh along with, year after year. While this movie doesn't really explain the true meaning of Christmas, it does give some insight into the true spirit of the Holiday Season.

~The Rebecca Review

Buy The Santa Clause (1994) Now

With the possible exception of White Christmas, The Santa Clause is the best Christmas movie since films went to color. As you can see from other's reviews, this is an absolutely terrific film. If you are wondering whether or not to get it, get it and, if you have even the tiniest good feelings about Christmas, you won't be disappointed.

That said, someone at Disney aught to be taken out and slapped for the dismal way this movie's "Special Edition" was treated. Admittedly, if you want to finally upgrade to the Widescreen version of this film (as everyone should), this is your chance. Beyond that, however, this DVD is an unworthy homage to a terrific film. There are no commentaries, no production notes, not even the usual fare of trailers from the film. What is there is an absurd featurette where the actor playing Bernard comes out and gives a pep talk to a group of elves plus some holiday recipes.

Maybe I'm over-reacting, but I figure that, with this release in advance of The Santa Clause 2, they would have really loaded this up. Director commentaries are a must and, with Disney practically owning Tim Allen, a commentary with him and some of the other stars would have been great added value. The movie is great, as my rating references, but this is NOT a Special Edition, no matter what it says on the case.

Anyone buying this should enjoy the movie and write Disney and complain about its treatment.

Read Best Reviews of The Santa Clause (1994) Here

I think the movie the santa clause is great it shows a

more realistic side of the santa saga.I like how the elves are younger it gives the younger generation a better feel for the movie opposed to if they were older actors as elves i've had this movie for two years now and am still enjoying it no mater what time of the year it is.I would recommend this movie for all ages,its certainly a must see!

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People say this isn't a classic, but I, however, think so. Don't think this movie is too childish. It's not. I'm 14 and I enjoyu every moment of it. It's so wonderful, magical, cute, and very warm in some parts. Tim Allen is hysterically funny, and with some of his lines. "Freezing my nubs off out here, and you want me to get into a Santa costume.", he says after furiously and reluctantly takes off his jacket and is in his underwear putting on Santa's suit, when the other Santa falls off of Scott Calvin's (Allen) roof. When he's inside the first house he takes out a plastic dump truck and it lightly thuds on the floor as he puts under the tree. In comes this Rottweiler growling at him. Scott puts on his most winning smile and says "Nice teeth." The dog barks at him. He tries to escape out of the window, but an alarm goes off. Someone upstairs yells "Who's down there?!" He inches his way towards the fireplace, with the dog growling at him, saying "It's the holidays. Come on. Whoo-hoo-hoo." All of a sudden there's a gunshot. Scott eventually gets back up the chimney and on his way to the next house. This is funny and will become a favorite in your holiday movie collection. (...).

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