Tim Allen takes up the reins for the third time in Disney's latest edition of its 'Santa Clause' series. In the 1994 installment - the best one - Scott Calvin (Allen) was a divorced workaholic who accidentally killed Santa on Christmas Eve, and got roped in as a replacement. In 'Santa Clause 2' (2002) Scott returned as the reluctant Father Christmas and must find himself a missus.
In the latest in the franchise, he is under serious pressure to get the pressies out to his demanding little customers, and juggles his tight schedule with a very pregnant and very homesick Mrs Claus (Mitchell).
As a result, Santa arranges for his ex-wife, kids and Mrs Claus's parents to visit on the pretext that the North Pole is Canada, and Scott is CEO of a very busy toy factory.
The atmosphere gets frosty with Santa's in-laws and pregnant wife disapproving of his absent air and workaholic pre-Santa ways. Worst of all, Santa has Jack Frost (Short) nipping at his heels causing mayhem in the factory, and sabotaging his family life. Jack's plan is to trick Scott into unwittingly signing the "escape clause" which reverses the time he has spent as Santa, and promotes Frost into the red suit.
Allen is fine as Santa, but it's the enjoyable nasty Jack Frost who steals the show. And it is a pity Abilgail Breslin, superb in 'Little Miss Sunshine', was not given a big role.
Smaller children might get a bit lost with the plot, but will undoubtedly be absorbed with the constant presents and marching elves, cute farting reindeers and the kids saving the day. However, the over 12s won't be quite so amused - there's just not enough humour this time round.
Mary McCarthy
