Santa Clause Review

I just finished watching The Santa Clause for about the 50th time.  I've been watching this movie since it first came out back in 1994 when I was still in grade school.  Something about this movie puts me into the holiday spirit more than almost any other Christmas movie so check your listings right now to see if it's playing again... or rent it!!

Minor Plot Details
Scott Calvin isn't the greatest dad.  He is divorced and his son, Charlie, doesn't really want to stay for him for Christmas.  His wife's new husband is a psychatrist who told Charlie that Santa doesn't exist.  Scott is mad about this and tells his son he believes in Santa Clause.  Cut to night time and Charlie wakes up because he heard a "such a clatter".  Scott doesn't really believe in Santa so he instantly assumes someone is trying to break in.  When he sees a guy dressed in a Santa outfit on his roof he yells for him.  This startles the man who slides off the roof and falls to his ultimate death.  Still sceptical, Scott seeks a wallet and finds a business card that says if he puts on the suit, he becomes the new Santa.  Sure, whatever.

Charlie is very persistent and climbs into the sleigh where Scott follows him.... long story short, Scott begins delivering presents.  The next morning Scott is convinced this was only a dream, Charlie tells him it is not, and Charlie tells his Mom and Step-Dad about their adventure.  This makes them very unhappy as they feel Scott is dragging Charlie into a fantasy world.  I personally don't see what's wrong with a child having an active imagination but his mom sure does!  What happens next?  You'll have to rent it to see!!

Characters
Tim Allen is great as Scott Calvin/Santa Clause.  Kids will certainly love the silly things he does, and adults will laugh at his subtle and not so subtle jokes.  A lot of the humor he uses is similar to his Home Improvement show which I've always loved.

Judge Reinhold is funny as the know-it-all doctor who thinks honesty is the best policy, even if it means ruining a child's dreams and imagination.  He's able to do it in a way where you don't hate him which is good because that is not the message this movie is trying to send.

Eric Lloyd as Charlie got on my nerves a few times.  I know he is just a kid but a few times he acts like such a little know-it-all it drove me nuts.  I would have rather him be more fascinated and less "I know everything about this stuff".  Overall he did a good job, just be aware he can bug you too.

The Lesson
They say it often in the movie so I think the lesson is that you don't have to SEE in order to BELIEVE.  I bet a lot of young kids would really believe in Santa after this movie.  It's great to have that active imagination and there's no reason to squash it.  There are also some lessons about family which you can see after you watch.  Scott was really job-focused, but quickly starts to change after this experience.

The Setting
The scenery and locations were well designed in this movie giving kids something to visualize when they picture Santa, the reindeer, and the North Pole.  They have explanations for everything in this movie such as how can Santa hit all the kids in the world and how he can get into a house that doesn't have a fireplace.  Now your kids can believe even more as these supposed "facts" seem to make a lot of sense.  The special effects throughout were also well done making it all look magical instead of computerized.

The End!
I've been entertained by this movie for years and plan to watch it for years to come.  It has humor, family, and Christmas, what more could you want?  Gather the whole family together and keep the dream of Santa Clause alive!  Enjoy!!