Just as Tim Allen (as Santa) toggles between plump
and skinny, "Santa Clause 2" toggles between
uninspired and magical. The holiday events transpire
at two locations: Santa's underground (undersnow?)
toy factory up at the North Pole and generictown,
USA. Generally speaking, whenever the filmmakers take
us up to the North Pole, the film descends in
entertainment value. Despite great pains in set
design, elf extras and special effects, this winter
wonderland feels concocted and un-Christmassy.
However, with Tim Allen back at home as Scott
(Charlie's dad) the film soars, as if carried by
flying reindeer.
It's my feeling that the script itself has been
overly manipulated and compromised in an attempt to
entertain kids, parents and even single teens/20's.
The whole "battle over the elves," sort of a good
Santa/bad Santa deal feels forced as to appease
younger viewers. But this is a Christmas film, why
play the so-oft used battle card? Apparently,
cognizant of this nuance the film tries hard to
underplay the bouts with snowballs etc., but elf
power tools look like guns and Elf-Con 1 is reached
in the first five minutes. Still, dangerously
unmerry, this story line could have been redeemed;
instead, the conflict resolves in Santa to Santa hand
to hand combat. How unfortunate, especially when
there were so many many creative Christmassy
solutions.
But Christmas happens in the home and that's where
this production finds its heart. Due to the "Mrs.
Santa Clause" which states that Santa must find a
wife before the 25th or the de-santification process
will take away his beard, belly and vocation, Santa
(as Scott) returns to his hometown reluctantly
searching for a mate. Again, here, many many juicy
opportunities for laughs abound. But instead of a
chain of hysterically failed dating attempts, only
one such is included, thereby forcing the true love
option to progress too fast.
Fortunately, Elizabeth Mitchell, as Charlie's
tough-skinned principal, performs powerfully,
creating potent chemistry with the always amusing Tim
Allen and making up for many cut pages of script.
She's able to convey a range of emotions and develop
artfully changes in moods in very short periods of
screentime. In fact, the romance here, though limited
in duration is as good as in a any other good romance
film. And when Tim Allen spices up a dreary faculty
Christmas party (an excellent scene) or a wee girl
stops him in the park to tell him what presents she
wants (as if he's Santa ... wink wink), well these
are the kinds of moments the film should have
showered itself with instead of the witless
Santa-clash.
Besides the abbreviated love story line, Charlie's
"acting out" problem has been unimpressively
simplified and almost pushed to the side all
together. Oh and lastly, this "Holiday" film plays
host to a whole lot of lying -- by Charlie, by the
Elves, by Santa. Unbecoming.
Despite these major Claus flaws, the film's major
successes are truly magical and inspired. I don't
care if you think I'm a wimp, but I got all choked up
more than once and even shed a few tears of joy.
That's what Christmas is about! So, I'll be content
to mentally rewrite this production in my head, and
remember it fondly (as I do the first one).
Note: Another recent film falling prey to this
same unimpressive mix of Christmas + military is
"Santa vs. the
Snowman 3D." Could I be thinking a bit too
conservatively here? Write in and let me know your
thoughts: Santa@rossanthony.com.
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