The Santa Clause (PG, 1994)

It's Christmas Eve. Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), a toy company executive, collects his little son Charlie from his ex-wife. When Santa Claus arrives on his roof, Scott's shout startles Santa into a fatal fall. The body disappears, leaving only the famous red suit. Scott takes over the sleigh and reindeer, completing Santa's annual rounds. At the North Pole, elves tell Scott and Charlie that according to the "Santa Clause" Scott is now required by law to take on Santa's identity. After Charlie tells his mom and child-psychologist stepfather (Judge Reinhold), they're convinced that Charlie has been warped by his dad. Months pass and Scott transforms into Santa, until court hearings decide that he's nuts and cut off his visitation rights. Another December 24 approaches, and Scott must convince his employers and ex that he's not crazy.

The nice thing about THE SANTA CLAUSE is that it takes its far-out premise all the way to a logical conclusion; there are no cheats or easy outs for Scott Calvin when the biggest job in the world is thrust upon him. Aided by excellent special effects, this likeable guy's slow, whimsical change into St. Nick, persistent in a disbelieving world, is supernatural. The jokes are just as funny for adults as for kids.

For a Disney fantasy, The Santa Clause is forthright about divorce and its aftermath but doesn't dwell too much on the agony of a broken home. There's pathos enough just in the separation of Scott Calvin from a son who still looks up to him. Commendably, Charlie's new stepdad appears not as an ogre to be defeated, but as an OK guy who lost his faith in Santa Claus because he never got the Oscar Meyer Wiener whistle he wanted at age 3 (does that foreshadow the ending or what?). Some parents may be disappointed that this movie overlooks the religious significance of Christmas in favor of present-giving and childhood wish-fulfillment, but the movie ends on an appropriate note of good will and reconciliation.

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: John Pasquin
Cast: Judge Reinhold, Tim Allen, Wendy Crewson
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 95 minutes
Theatrical release: January 1, 1994
DVD release: September 29, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: thematic elements.