The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

We just saw this movie tonight. I was surprised to see it out so far ahead of Christmas, but looked forward to it having seen the first two and enjoyed them. The special effects are as good as before and it was a treat seeing all the actors back. Didn't really miss Bernard until it was over when it suddenly hit me he wasn't in this movie. I was getting kinda irritated with the negative in-laws and thinking I didn't like the whole film until the end which had me laughing and really enjoying myself. Know I'm a sap, but I LIKED the warm fuzzy feeling of family and friends coming together. Martin Short was pretty good as Jack Frost. Tim Allen was perfect as Santa and Mrs. Santa is lovely. If you enjoy seeing movies just for light entertainment, I think you might enjoy this movie.

Took the kids to see this and they loved it. I didn't have high expectations but was entertained and got the predictable feel good, happy ending. I agree with others that it was a couple notches better than the second movie. All and all, a good way to kick off the holiday movie season.

Other notes of interest: The actress playing Mrs. Clause is on the T.V. show Lost now. That took a little getting used to. Martin Short did a nice job as Jack Frost. The blooper reel at the end of the movie is pretty lame. Not funny at all. Plus, when the bloopers are literally shown 3 seconds after the end of the movie, it takes away from the movie itself. The kids are still smiling and in a magical place then "poof", magic is over here are the actors messing up their lines. It's like seeing Peter Pan on stage and right after the show, they show you all the wires that were used to make him fly. Save the bloopers for the DVD.

Pregnant Mrs. Claus (Elizabeth Mitchell) is almost due, and she wishes for human contact. So Santa (Tim Allen) decides to bring her parents (Ann-Margret, Alan Arkin) to the North Pole along with Santa's ex and her family (Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Liliana Mumy). Meanwhile, the Counsel of Legendary Figures is to judge Jack Frost (Martin Short) for all his wrongdoings. Santa decides to help out by letting him work as one of his helpers. Only Jack Frost schemes to take over Christmas by using the Escape Clause.

The charms of the previous two installments are mostly gone. When North Pole gets remade into Canada, it just emphasized how fake it all is. In the other two, Tim Allen is running around trying to hide his identity from people who love him. In this one, the only people who don't know is Ann-Margret and Alan Arkin. They don't really love him, and there isn't that joy of discovery. That charm isn't here this time around.

Also Bernard the Elf (David Krumholtz) isn't here this time. Curtis (Spencer Breslin) is now the head elf. The movie misses Bernard's attitude and energy. Although it's cute to see Abigail Breslin as one of the little elves. As for Jack Frost, he's alright as the bad guy but he's not funny. In fact, this movie isn't funny. There is a lack of joy. The only one with the wonder and excitement in her eyes is Liliana Mumy. Aside from her, there is too much tension. This movie just doesn't have the same feel.

Went to see this movie today with the family. Personally, I was alittle disappointed in some aspects. There just didn't seem to be a lot of comedy or comic relief in this movie as with the other two. The absence of David Krumholtz was unmoving, for he provided a lot of stability to the plot lines in the other movies.

I did however, enjoyed Martin Short as Jack Frost. He was great! Everyone else returning was a pleasure. It seemed their screen time was increased over SC2, with the exception of Charlie. He just seemed to be there this time around. Lilian Mumy shined in this movie, one of many I hope. And of course Tim Allen....he is superb as Santa Clause.

Overall, the movie was so, so. I thought a lot of the context and situations in the movie were alittle over the heads of children my age. (ages 7 and 5 respectfully) And to me, the original movie was based for all ages. The third installment had to many "grown-up problems" that could loose the interest of a child real quick. But for the most part all the elves, toys and of course Santa made seeing it will the kids worthwhile! Although, it is not up to par with the original, it does do a great job of completing a trilogy that will warm the hearts of families for many holidays to come.

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause is badly missing Bernard, direction, and more importantly, comedy! The jokes, if there were any, just weren't funny. Charlie was barely even in the film as well.

Next, turning the North Pole into Canada for in-laws is also an awful subplot. This means the script is relying heavily on new characters to help carry the film. How did it ever get approved?

It does not work because this results in 90 percent of the movie being filmed at the North Pole. Both The Santa Clause (1994) and The Santa Clause 2 (2002) had the perfect balance of life in America around Christmastime and at the North Pole. Too much in one spot hurts the film.

Then there's Jack Frost (Martin Short), who was way underutilized in this movie. Magical water globes in a secret room that can alter the existence of a particular Santa Claus forever? I don't get it. This may seem creative, but why would it exist at the North Pole near Santa? It's beyond silly.

Lastly, we never get to see Santa Claus (Scott Calvin) with all of his reindeer delivering presents or doing anything like that as St. Nick. Scott having a midlife crisis as Santa or questioning whether or not he made the right choice in becoming Kris Kringle are both better ideas for a plot than featuring in-laws.