“The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” (Walt Disney Pictures)
Once Was Enough!
Twelve years ago there was a bright and unique Christmas comedy titled “The Santa Clause.” Tim Allen and a solid supporting cast made this a joyful holiday experience. Because it was so successful the powers that be decided to make a sequel, and it was also successful. So now they have gone back to the Santa Clause well one more time and have created “The Santa Clause 3: the Escape Clause” and it is definitely one time too many.
This time out Santa (Allen) and Mrs. Claus (Elizabeth Mitchell) are having a baby. The problem is Mrs. Claus misses her family, so Santa decides to bring her mom and dad (Ann-Margaret and Alan Arkin) up to the North Pole. He also brings his ex-wife (Wendy Crewson), her husband (Judge Reinhold) and their daughter (Liliana Mumy) along.
Meanwhile at the North Pole, legendary character Jack Frost (Martin Short) is becoming increasingly jealous of Santa’s fame and fortune. He wants to become the number one man and connives to get Santa to invoke the “escape clause” which will leave the position of Santa Claus open for anyone who aspires to it. And Jack does aspire!
All of this heavy-handed plotting takes place with a lot of chaos and not much fun. Tim Allen and Martin Short are both extremely funny men but in this film their comedic skills are muted and they are never allowed to break lose. By the time Short bounces on stage at the North Pole to sing a take off on “New York, New York” you are tired of him and his role in the movie.
You hope that maybe the female cast members can do something to make the movie a little warmer and cheerier but Mitchell is totally bland as Mrs. Claus, and Ann-Margaret is embarrassing as her mother. She still looks great, but the lines they give her are awkward and make her character look shallow and silly.
The possible saving grace of all this is the ending. At the last minute the cast is able to inject the film with some Christmas cheer. But it is too little too late and the overall effect of the movie is that it has been a waste of time and talent.
The film is rated G and is appropriate for all members of the family.
As with most cases of sequel-itis, making this third episode was just not a good idea. All the sweetness, humor and flavor of the “Santa Clause” concept have been drained from the film and all that is left is a pale imitation of the original.
I am sure there will be folks who will flock to this movie but in truth they would be better off just renting the original.
I scored “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” an over sequeled 4 out of 10.
