The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
Directed by Michael Lembeck
Written by Don Rhymer, Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Ed Decker, John J. Strauss
Starring Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, David Krumholz
Release Date November 1st 2002
Published October 31st, 2002
How can a movie whose premise begins with a guy accidentally killing Santa Claus become a huge family hit? Have it star one of TV's biggest stars and slap that Disney label on it, that's how. Unfortunately for Tim Allen, his non-Santa roles have been like coal in a Christmas stocking. With the exception of his voice work in the Toy Story movies and the modest success of Galaxy Quest, Allan has yet to have a real blockbuster since he donned Santa's trademark clothes. So it only makes sense that Allan would once again put on the beard and the belly, what doesn't make sense is how a sequel could be so much better than it's original.
As we rejoin the man formerly known as Scott Calvin, now St. Nick, he is overseeing the creation of this year's toy supply with the help of his top assistant Bernard (David Krumholz) and Santa's top gadget elf, Curtis (Spencer Breslin). Everything is ship shape until Santa gets the naughty list and finds his son Charlie is on it. Charlie (Eric Lloyd) has been acting out in school, in part to get attention from a girl, but also to rebel against his school's Christmas hating Principal Mrs. Newman (the lovely Elizabeth Mitchell).
To make matters worse the elves have a secret to tell Santa. It seems there is another clause (ho ho) in the Santa contract called the Mrs. Clause. Essentially, Santa has to get married by Christmas Eve or he will no longer be Santa and there will no longer be a Christmas. So Santa must return to his old life as Scott, but before he goes he agrees to be cloned so that the elves won't be worried while he's gone. The clone unfortunately is a nut who threatens to give all the kids in the world coal.
Scott doesn't know that though because he is back home dealing with Charlie as well as his ex-wife (Wendy Crewson), and her new husband (the ever goofy Judge Reinhold). With the help of his ex-wife he begins going out on a series of bad dates while feuding with Charlie's shrewish principal. If you need to be told what happens between Scott and the principal you might need to buy my new book, Genre Movies for Dummies.
Reminiscent of another recent genre film, the horror movie Ghost Ship, Santa Clause 2 isn't about where the story is going but about how it gets there. Garish sets and charming lead performances by Allen and Mitchell combine with a sweet, if entirely predictable, script for a film that is far better than the sum of it's parts. Considering that it took 5 credited screenwriters, and two more writers with Story credit, it's a miracle that The Santa Clause 2 is even remotely coherent, let alone entertaining.
The script is surprisingly sharp especially the opening which parodies classic sub-movie clichés with the North Pole running full silent at Elfcon One as they avoid the sonar detection of a weather plane. Also funny is Santa's meeting with fellow legends Mother Nature (Aiesha Tyler), Cupid (Kevin Pollack), The Tooth Fairy (Art La Fleuer) and Father Time (Peter Boyle). These ace supporting players are having an absolute ball in this otherwise superfluous scene and I loved it.
As I look back on Santa Clause 2, the holes in the plot grow bigger and the problems I ignored at first glance become more pronounced. Still I have to go with my initial gut reaction which was that I laughed a lot watching this film. For all of my irony soaked bravado about my indie movie loving credentials, I am forced to admit that I laughed a lot while watching a formula Disney holiday movie credited to FIVE screenwriters. Credit veteran TV director Michael Lembeck, in his feature debut, with creating a fun and lively atmosphere and allowing Allan's quick wit and charm to work around the script holes. Lembeck performed an absolutely incredible trick getting this shambles of a story into shape, smartly allowing a veteran cast to punch up the loose material with big laughs.
I would describe The Santa Clause 2 as a genre film guilty pleasure. A movie I am nearly ashamed to say I liked, but like it I did.
