Movie Review - Fred Claus

Another one I saw in the theater on opening night.

Fred's brother, Nicholas was born the perfect child and because of his extreme generosity, he became known as Santa Claus. Fred and Nicholas have had a strained relationship because Fred has been in the shadow of his younger brother since the day Nicholas was born. Due to the demands of children wanting more presents now than in the past, there is trouble at the North Pole because they just can't make that many presents in time for Christmas and management has decided that this will be the last year for Santa and he will have to shut down production if they can't make the quota this year. Fred is in financial trouble and agrees to help out his brother for a price so he travels to the North Pole to help out...not knowing that Santa is soon to become fired.

I read the reviews on this movie and most of them were really harsh. I don't understand why everyone expects every movie to have Oscar-worthy performances with a stellar cast. Movies are supposed to do the following: entertain, inform, educate. If they can do one really well, then that's all that's needed. If they can do more than one then all the better. This movie entertains....and does it well. The acting isn't the best, but who cares? It's a fun, heartwarming story and except for the three "action" scenes, which were stupid beyond words, it was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. My suggestion is to think of this movie as a drama with comedic bits and it will be better viewed. It had a great message (how to overcome being in the shadow of your perfect sibling - boy, can I relate to that - and how important it is to do what's right no matter what anyone else says) and it had a great ending. And if they can find a way to just delete out those three stupid scenes, this would be an excellent holiday movie.

Vixy :]