TownRootGuy Not that that's saying much. It has eye candy, decent FX AND it gives the gift of laughter throughout but it was better in the 90's. Crewson was hot in this one so that helps. There's just too much kid-targeted junk to rate this any higher. Still, it's good enough to make the 2 - 3 year re-watch rotation.

Prismark10 Tim Allen plays Scott, a divorced toy executive who spends time with his son on Christmas Eve. They end up in Dennys as he burns the turkey but later that night he hears a sound. It turns out to be Santa who stumbled off the roof and died. Scott is persuaded by his son to don the Santa suit but accidentally invokes the Santa Clause. Scott is obligated to become the new Santa. A strange way to choose a new Santa, if you think about it we have a chain of accidental or unwilling Santa Claus's.So Scott with reindeer's and sleigh goes out to complete the delivery of the presents on Christmas Eve and he can magically go down chimneys and magical fireplaces appear.Things go a little Miracle on 34th Street as his son believes his dad is the real Santa. His ex-wife and her new nerdy husband who is also a psychiatrist are sceptical and fight to end Scott's visitation rights. It does not help that Scott has now put on a lot of weight and magically sprouted long grey hair and beard.The film was a big hit at the box office when it was released. It is a pleasant family film enjoyable by kids, slightly old fashioned but passable CGI effects. I thought the whole visitation rights subplot was rather silly and far fetched.

George Wright The Santa Clause is a funny and original movie and a worthy addition to the library of Christmas movies. Tim Allen is the leading actor and gets better as the role becomes more ridiculous or sympathetic, depending on your perspective. The movie takes an old theme of belief in Santa Claus and gives it a 1990's setting with parents who share custody of a lovable child, played by Eric Lloyd, who is starting to question if there is a real Santa. It is an issue that most families face or postpone but try to muddle through as best they can. The fantasy of Santa becomes a reality for the boy and his divorced father on a momentous Christmas Eve. Eventually both the boy and his father embrace the reality of Santa who takes possession of their lives. This leads to a collision with the "real" world of adults, teachers and the working environment. The mother is played by Wendy Crewson and the step-father by Judge Reinhold, in a fine performance as a serious psychiatrist badly shaken by the behaviour of the child and his father. David Krumholtz, 16 years old at the time, shines as the head elf. The movie is for adults or youth. Children would have a distorted and confused view of the Santa persona after viewing this movie but for others it's fine holiday entertainment.

FilmBuff1994 The Santa Clause is a great movie with a very well developed storyline and a good cast.I love watching this movie and the other two installments every Christmas,I enjoy them for the nostalgia purpose as I watched it constantly as a child at Christmas and it reminds me of a time when I believed in Santa Claus,and it also gets me in to the Christmas cheer.Tim Allen is without a doubt my favourite portrayal of Father Christmas,he suits the role of a man who is forced to be become Santa and really has no idea what he's suppose to do perfectly,Scott Calvin is a sweet and lovable character and I couldn't imagine anyone other than Allen playing him.The Santa Clause is a very enjoyable movie that I would definitely recommend for a family to watch at Christmas time. After trying on Santa's suit after an incident on Christmas Eve,Scott Calvin is forced to become the new Father Christmas. Best Performance: Tim Allen Worst Performance: Peter Boyle