FRED CLAUS

Movie Review #5: FRED CLAUS
(DVD release date: 11/25/08)

Directed by David Dobkin, Rated PG, 1 hr., 56 minutes
Genre: Family
Reviewer Rating: C+

There's only one true reason that I watched this movie, and that is because of Vince Vaughn. I liked his "smart-mouthness" in comedies prior to this, and so I thought I might be entertained by moments in this film that he likely improvised on the spot. To that extent, I was not truly let down. Also, Kevin Spacey is in this movie (I honestly don't really know why), but that was a pleasant surprise and although his role is predictable and sappy, he does a good job at lending to the comedy, and so the movie becomes watchable.

And there's a Baldwin. I don't want to give this away, but there is a Baldwin. Soon there will be a "Six Degrees of Separation from Alec Baldwin" game as well. Very soon.

Anyway, this is a Christmas movie which follows in the wake of Elf (2003), but feels much more like Christmas With the Cranks (2004). It will rent a lot this holiday season, and will manage to occupy kids for the nearly two hours that this movie runs, and it won't absolutely annoy the parents who will probably be forced to watch it as well, so that's a plus.

My problem is Paul Giamatti, who I really respect as an actor, but still can't see as Santa. I don't know why, but it just doesn't work for me. It's okay, but I thought it could have been better cast. But it's okay. The story is a little long, and I like the premise, but it gets ridiculous as the movie continues. About twenty minutes of this movie probably could have been cut, and it would have been better for it. I have to be honest in that I fast-forwarded about fifteen minutes of this movie, and I think it made the film better.

So, rent it if you have no other options for Christmas comedies or have already watched Elf (2003) so many times you are going to explode and that is the only kind of comedy your family will watch. It's truly not that bad, but that's probably only because of its cast.