Santa Clause 2
Plot
Scott Calvin has now been Santa Claus for close to a decade, he is loved by all of his team – but struggles to maintain a relationship with his son Charlie – who is running amok at his school, much to the annoyance of his school Principal, Ms Newman.
On the 1st of December, Scott discovers that there was an ‘extra’ Clause in the clause that turned him into Santa Claus… he must be married by Christmas Day – or he will lose his powers forever.
Now he must head home to find a bride, and leaves a ‘Toy Santa’ in place of him to keep things in order at the north pole.
Cast/Characters
Returning from the first film are Tim Allen, as Scott, Eric Lloyd as Charlie, David Krumholtz as Bernard the Elf, Wendy Crewson as Laura (Charlie’s mother and Scott’s ex wife), and Judge Reinhold as Neil (Laura’s husband).
New cast members are Elizabeth Mitchell as Principal Carol Newman, and Spencer Breslin as Curtis the Elf (who discovers the new ‘clause’)
Breakdown
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. It is a rare occasion that a film is of equal quality to its predecessor, but this one is.
We start with Scott involved and experienced in his role of Santa. He soon discovers in quick procession that 1) his son is on the naughty list due to the troubles he is having at school, primarily with Principal Newman, and 2) he must find a wife by the end of the month in order to save Christmas.
This obviously sets off the obvious pairing of Scott and Principal Newman (Carol… get it?) – but I genuinely liked the way they wrote the ‘pairing’ so as not to force the love angle so quickly, instead getting them to be friendly with one another. Her ‘coldness’ towards Christmas is a little cliche, but you look past it once she warms up to Scott (and the eventual believing in Santa again). The relationships seems quite organic, and was written well.
Since Scott already had his redemption arc in the first film, this one doesn’t have any moments really where Scott’s morality is called into question. Instead it is more of a love story for Scott, but also shows how much he loves his job and Christmas.
The primary antagonist, is Scott’s double, the Toy Santa who is hilariously played by Allen. This is probably one of his best comedic performances, and has many laugh out loud moments (and even references some throwbacks to Allen’s other works like Toy Story). He shines every moment he is on screen as Toy Santa from the zany (drinking the hot milk) to the… well zany when he goes drunk with power against the elves.
Some slight downs, the graphics/CGI is quite poor, especially for 2002. Charlie’s rebellion isn’t really explored enough, and there isn’t nearly enough of Wendy Crewson or Judge Reinhold, considering how important they were in the first film.
There are some fun cameo’s or “tertiary” cast members with the likes of Aisha Tyler (as Mother Nature), Kevin Pollak (as Cupid), Peter Boyle (as Father Time), Art LaFleur (as The Tooth Fairy), and Molly Shannon (as a date Scott goes on early in the movie).
Overall
I thought this was brilliant. A step up from the first film in narrative, heart and especially the humour.
Allen is brilliant, especially as “Toy Santa”
Some poor graphics do let it down, considering it was made in 2002.
A very strong recommend.
4 /5
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