Fred Claus (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 65

O Masterpiece (100)
O Excellent (75-99)
X Rental (60-74)
O OK (50-59)
O Mediocrity (30-49)
O Avoid (1-29)

Review by Jason Pyles / November 15, 2007

Now, when I rate “Fred Claus” as a rental, that’s taking into consideration that “Elf” (2003) is already checked out. But even so, “Fred Claus” is funny, especially if you like Vince Vaughn.

Most critics are panning “Fred Claus,” but let’s be fair: Here we have a movie about Santa Claus’s jealous older brother ... um, what were we expecting, Othello? So, it’s not exceptional, but it’s good enough for light-hearted holiday fare.

You know, it’s difficult to live in the shadow of a saint who’s loved by all the world’s children, as well as all those who were once children. And such is the existence of Fred Claus (Vince Vaughn). Unlike his brother, Santa (Paul Giamatti), Fred is a polar opposite ... get it? Polar? Santa delivers the goods, while Fred is a repo man. Funny, right?

But when Fred gets in a significant financial bind, he has to call his jolly brother for the money. Old Saint Nick agrees to front the cash if Fred comes to the North Pole and helps prepare for the Christmas rush by overseeing the Naughty-Nice Department. But the plot thickens: An “efficiency expert” named Clyde Northcutt (Kevin Spacey) looms over Santa’s operation with a stringent three-strike audit. A failing inspection could shut down the North Pole forever, and that makes it an especially bad time for a sibling rivalry.

Vince Vaughn is excellent in this film, except for the times he’s made to resort to slapstick, which are always low points. Otherwise, his fast-talking, cynical, smart mouth is hilarious. Best of all, and this praise can also be said of Kevin Spacey, Vaughn plays the movie very seriously, like its characters are absolutely real. And Spacey has such conviction in his performance, you’d think he was aiming for an Oscar.

Paul Giamatti is an actor of many talents; however, he should not have been cast as Santa Claus. I’m not sure why, but he doesn’t pull it off. And Elizabeth Banks, who plays “Santa’s Little Helper,” Charlene, could pass for Naomi Watts’ twin sister any time of year. Banks reminds me that this movie isn’t completely innocent: It has some mild profanity and noticeable innuendo.

Does Fred end up having to save Christmas? I won’t tell. But would this be a Christmas movie if he didn’t? It doesn’t seem to matter; one way or another, Christmas must be in jeopardy or it isn’t an authentic Christmas movie. Above all, “Fred Claus” joins the ranks of those holiday films that make for good ambiance, a festive backdrop for your family parties.

Directed by David Dobkin
Vince Vaughn / Paul Giamatti / Kevin Spacey
116 min. Holiday / Comedy
MPPA: PG (for mild language and some rude humor)

Copyright 2007. 214