“Fred Claus” (Warner Brothers)
Ho Ho Ho Mixed With Bah Humbug
“Fred Claus” is a mildly entertaining movie but its story about Santa Claus and Christmas seems to have been done a million times before. Vince Vaughn makes a valiant effort to make it different but goes down in defeat. There are some moments that are funny and some that will give you a lump in your throat but the overall effect is been there, done this a million times before.
Fred Claus (Vaughn), who is Santa Claus’ brother, lives in New York City. Because he is short of cash he gives in to Nicholas Claus’ plea to visit him and his family at the North Pole. Nicholas Claus/Santa Claus (Paul Giamatti) has always wanted to be close to his brother but he always ends up alienating him in some way.
The same thing happens during this visit. Nick tries to surprise Fred with a visit from their parents (Kathy Bates and Trevor Peacock), but mama Claus always liked Nick best and it shows. Plus Nick’s wife Annette (Miranda Richardson) is not a big fan of Fred’s.
There is also a subplot involving a mean cost analyst (Kevin Spacey) trying to shut down Santa. Who has given this man such power is never explained. Plus at the end of the film when it is revealed he always wanted a Superman cape the movie strays into creepy land. Spacey played Lex Luthor in the “Superman” movie but now it seems he always wanted to be the hero.
There is another over the top segment concerning a “Siblings Anonymous” group. Fred joins it and finds Frank Stallone, Roger Clinton and Stephen Baldwin also have issues with their brothers. This scene is way over the top and has no relation to the rest of the movie.
At times the movie seems to be playing to a ten and under audience and at others it seems to be going for a more adult crowd. The mixed result doesn’t appeal or please either group.
The movie is rated PG for mild profanity and mild adult humor.
Vince Vaughn is a funny man, and he can also create a warm and loveable character. In this film he is sporadically funny and sporadically loveable. Giamatti plays it all too seriously while Spacey just appears to be slumming for a paycheck. Rachel Weisz plays Vaughn’s girlfriend and she seems as confused as the audience about who and what she is supposed to be.
John Michael Higgins has some good moments as one of Santa’s elves but the love story between him and Santa’s assistant, played by Elizabeth Banks, should have been scrapped. Miranda Richardson is an excellent actress and it is good to see her back on film – but in “Fred Claus” !!!!
“Fred Claus” is a movie of moments, but the overall effect is just average. This film isn’t on a level with Will Ferrell’s “Elf” or even Tim Allen’s “Santa Clause.”
I scored “Fred Claus” a ho-pless 5 out of 10.
