On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me... why, The Santa Clause movies, of course! What's Christmas without Tim Allen's version of Santa Claus causing all kinds of ruckus at the North Pole? A depressing one, obviously. When the very first The Santa Clause film came out in 1994, I was immediately smitten. Here was a Christmas tale that definitely wasn't the stereotyped version of Santa... kind of. The idea that Santa Clause could be, uh, killed, was unheard of. And to have him be replaced by a regular Joe Average toy salesman who isn't very fond of the holiday sounds ludicrous. But Tim Allen makes it work really well. Add in the ass-kicking elves, a North Pole that feels like a magical city of happiness and hot cocoa, and a father/son relationship that helps Tim Allen believe in Santa (and himself) and it's a sure-fire way to get Christmas going.
The sequel, ingeniously called (note the sarcasm) The Santa Clause 2, comes 8 years later, and while many might not consider it to be as good as the first, it is certainly as enjoyable, especially if you're into fluff (like I am around this time of year) with a side dose of cheesy. With this film, we definitely see more of the North Pole, the elves, and the behind-the-scenes action. We see Allen's character try to find a Mrs. Clause and try and revitalize the relationship with his son. But probably the funniest and best part of the entire film is Toy Santa! Whoever thought of Toy Santa is a fu**ing genius because it's crazy, but it most definitely works. Please see proof below.
Tim Allen taking on a double role in the sequel allows us to see two sides of him: The charming side and the randomly funny side as well. But aside from all of the antics and in all seriousness, one of the most enjoyable things about The Santa Clause movies, and is something that has brought me back to it time and time again, is the heart behind it all. It could have just been any comedic holiday film (the 3rd film is definitely, and unfortunately, like this), but it has great characters and always remembers that the father/son relationship that was so special in the original makes its way into the sequel as well.
The characters are memorable, there are skeptics, there are jokes and trouble running amok throughout the entire films, there are good and well-established relationships, but most of all, there is magic. The spirit of the holiday season is most definitely alive and well, and if that sounds cliche, then so be it. The truth is, The Santa Clause movies make me feel like a kid again, makes me hope and believe in magic, even if for a short period of time. It's one of my favorite portrayals of Santa Clause ever because he isn't just the big guy in red. He's a human being with worries and people he loves and cares about with a lot of pressure riding on his shoulders, but with a childlike energy that makes everything in life not seem so bad.
And to honor the films, here is one of my favorite excerpts from the first film where Charlie's stepdad, who's a psychiatrist, confronts him after finally finding out that Santa is, in fact, real.
Neil: Charlie, I'm sorry I didn't believe you.
Charlie: That's ok, Neil. You were just denying your inner child.
Classic.
