MOVIE REWIEW: SC2 not as magical as the first — Grade C
Christmas happens to be one of my favorite times of year and I love a great Christmas movie when I see one. As I left the theater, I was wishing I had done just that, but I didn’t.
“The Santa Clause 2” failed to capture the magic of the original.
In 1994, when the first film came out, it was a giant hit filled with all the magical and child-like thrills that make Christmas so fantastic. SC2 just did not find the same magic. It was filled with half-hearted one-liners that failed to get past the screen. It was almost like being at home watching a really bad sitcom that is headed for cancellation.
The new film was filled with themes children (and after all, this is a movie for kids) just won’t get. One of the best moments in the entire movie came at the annual faculty Christmas party at the high school. A gathering of middle-aged adults who had become disillusioned. With a little Santa magic, these stoic bah-humbugs transformed into giant children when all of the toys and games they once loved where handed out as “Secret Santa” gifts.
That was an adult moment. Kids want to know about the cool things like how Santa is getting down the chimney or how the reindeer fly.
I have to say the film’s faults did not come with the cast. It was largely original cast members reprising their former roles. It came in the five, yes count them five, new screen writers who just didn’t have a flair for this project.
They missed the mark with the comic timing of Tim Allen (Scott Calvin) who is really an under-rated comic genius when he has the right material. They just couldn’t find his mix of goofy guy-next-door and witty delivery. They also created a subplot that really just about destroyed the movie and not just Christmas.
After all, who wants to see a Rubbermaid Santa turned dictator and his army of oversized toy soldiers (this all seems a little too “Babes in Toyland” for me) try to ruin Christmas by giving every child coal?
Then there was the true performances given by Elizabeth Mitchell (Carol Newman) and Eric Lloyd (Calvin’s son Charlie). These two were just not given good scripting. In the last 20 minutes, we saw more of what this whole film should have been – relationships and magic.
I also have to say the addition of Mother Nature, the Easter Bunny, Cupid, Father Time and the Tooth Fairy (with image problems) was a brilliant choice. Also, the added personalities for the reindeer help bolster this movie, but it was not enough and I left with the old adage running through my head (Charles Dickens forgive me) “God SAVE us, everyone!”
Justin Berry is working toward his second bachelor’s degree in theater performance. Comments can be sent to Justinsb26@hotmail.com.