Some people may not call it this, but for me, "The Santa Clause" is a Christmas favorite. I have seen it at least ten times and it is one of my traditions to watch it at least once during every Christmas season. It's a very funny film, and Tim Allen manages to deliver some of his very best and funniest lines ever, which do not deserve to be spoiled in this comment. It's also a very original and engaging story; a divorced dad must take over the job of Santa after the real Santa falls off his roof, but first his son has to help him warm up to the idea. That being said, I admit that it's not a perfect film (ex: Tim Allen's son is kind of bratty), but for a movie like this I'm willing to settle for less than perfect. Few family films are this funny for kids and adults alike. Tim Allen makes more hilarious wisecracks here than in any other film I have seen him in. Seeing him go from a sarcastic divorced father to a loving Santa Claus is a very touching story, and the concept of a "Santa Clause" (a contract to become Santa) is completely original. If you haven't seen this film, watch it this Christmas. This is a real treat. I have seen it enough times to know, and I still enjoy it every year.

Love this movie. It’s our Christmas tradition movie! This year our 5 year old watched it for the first time and there were maybe 5-6 times that her dad and I gave each other the “uh oh” look about certain topics discussed in the movie that we had forgotten! Divorce, a few swear words, Tim Allen’s sarcastic rude comments, name calling, etc. —just something to be cautious about with young(er) viewers. Still give it a 5 star rating because the movie is a great Christmas movie and even our 5 year old had a tear takeaway and (thankfully) paid no mind to all those things!

This movie is great. Tim Allen is hilarious. Great music. And the child actors are really good actors!
But...some of the jokes (fat shaming, mean digs at intellect), the innuendos (secretary sitting in married bosses lap), and some of the parenting (telling your child that their ideas are stupid; yelling at children)...don't really age well.

But, for our kids, we just talked about how Scott Calvin was "chosen" by Santa to become a better person.
We also told them that the "real" Santa was on vaca in Florida (We were under duress...they got really concerned when Santa fell off the roof).

But the movie is STILL EXTREMELY magical, Santa's palatial workshop, reindeer, elves defying...well...I've probably said too much already. But a GREAT movie.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... "The Santa Clause" is an enjoyable all-time
Christmas favorite for the entire family. If you seen the other Santa Clause films the first
one is always the best to view. It's very funny and full of holiday cheer. An all star cast
including Tim Allen and Eric Lloyd they were outstanding. It was a honor to watch Eric Lloyd
and be a part of The Santa Clause series one of our all-time favorite and charming boy actors.
The Santa Claus will keep you engaged and get you into the holiday spirit. The story is inspiring
and very original. Thanks to John Pasquin, Leo Benvenuti, and Steve Rudnick for bringing
the first installment onto film. All kids will love this one. A recommendation and must see
every day, every year, every Christmas. One to watch anytime.

It's hard to deny that this is a funny, heartwarming, adorable movie for kids. But it struck me as i watched it that this was a mid-90's recap of the culture wars of the US. The mom and step-dad are rationalist, liberal types. Tim Allen is the man of faith. Although he behaves illogically at first and seems very inconsistent as he discovers the magical world, he eventually embraces it as the core of his identity. The faith side of the equation is at war with the police and the courts (they think Santa is insane); at one point the State sends in a SWAT team to capture Santa. The resolution is provided not through confrontation, but by conversion (the liberals recapture their childhood belief in Santa). What nailed the interpretation in my mind is the incorporation of a ZZ Top song as Santa achieves his victory (this band has been fully coopted by MAGA supporters, although when they first made it to the charts they seemed threatening to traditional American values). From that point on, there is no need to rely on the state: Santa is no longer a threat. In one of the final scenes, Santa's son ridicules psychiatry and tells his step-father that he won't become a psychologist when he gets older - he will work in the family business (i.e., give himself over to faith). I'm sure none of this was lost on Katzenberg.

I love sharing Christmas movies with my wife and daughters especially ones they haven't seen before. This year, I got to share the Santa Clause with one of my daughters, who just crossed over the magic threshold in life of understanding sarcasm. Other than Home Improvement, this movie is by far the best work Tim Allen has ever done, in my opinion. The dialogue is a little "off" but the story itself and the funny takes on the character are sweet and timeless. If I had to pick a favorite scene, it would have to the introduction to the North Pole...the innocence and soft colors make you think of warmth and comfort. So does that amazing sleigh bed! I have two more daughters to watch this movie for the "first time" with and I can't wait to hear what they say. When I first watched the movie I bought a sleigh bed. My daughter asked me, after the movie, if Santa was hurt during the fall off the roof or if it was just make believe. I hate how they grow up but love being able to have those kinds of moments.

BUT!! Amazon is very cheeky with the time to watch their movies especially these holiday videos! I rented all three of this series and watched it with my first batch of grand kids to come visit, now the second batch is coming over Christmas and I will have to rent all 3 again....You could buy it you say, well my thought is what happens to Amazon they get a greedy offer to sell, or even go out of business (can't see that happening) where would those videos go it something like that happened?? Anyway maybe a 2 week span for holiday videos Amazon???

So, there are three movies in this trilogy and this is by far the best and as an adult, the easiest to sit through multiple viewings of if you have small children that tend to find a few favorites and want to watch them constantly. The quick and dirty synopsis of the plot is that Scot Calvin (Tim Allen) is an executive at a toy company, divorced with a young son who is doing well, but has kind of lost his way when it comes to the spirit of Christmas. On Christmas Eve his son wakes him because of a racket outside and they discover Santa on the roof. Startled, Santa takes a tumble off and after Scot puts on the coat & hat the adventure begins as he takes the reigns as the new Santa.

The movie itself is fun, cute, and of course... safe for kids. It's got a little going on for adults as well, but the target audience is absolutely kids. My 10 year old will sit through it without protest and the 3 year old really likes Santa, the elves, and of course the reindeer. It's no Home Alone, but if you are looking to round out your more recent Christmas classics, this is a title worth owning.

If you're looking for one of the best, not really kid safe Christmas movies... pick up a copy of "The Ref" as well and watch it after the kids go to bed. You can check out a quick review on that title as well in my profile.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday and that this review helps you decide if this is a title worth owning.