The Santa Clause 2 (G, 2002)

common sense media says

This one deserves a "bah humbug."


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has some bathroom humor. A character tries to yank out his tooth to get the tooth fairy to come (and one apparently succeeds, off camera). Parents might want to talk to younger kids to make sure they do not imitate this behavior. While the movie has strong, intelligent female characters, the elves (played by children) conform to 1950's-era stereotypes, with the boys creating toys and playing football while the girls deliver the cookies and cocoa. There are very few minority characters and the movie does not acknowledge any other religious or cultural holiday traditions.

Positive messages: Bathroom humor.
Violence & scariness: Comic violence, no one hurt.
Sexy stuff: Naked plastic tush.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Product placements for McDonald's and Nestle.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on The Santa Clause 2

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how Charlie feels about keeping the secret of his father's life as Santa. They can also talk about how a big disappointment can make someone afraid to try to be happy. Talk about the scene in which adults play with their favorite childhood toys. Which would you like to have again?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In this sequel, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) learns there is one more "Santa Clause" in his obligation to fill Santa's shoes. He must marry a Mrs. Claus before Christmas, only 28 days away. He returns home to visit his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), so that he can find out how Charlie got on the "naughty" list and find a Mrs. Claus to bring back to the North Pole. Charlie is in trouble for vandalizing the school with graffiti protesting the principal's refusal to celebrate Christmas. The principal is very stern and Scrooge-ish, but behind those glasses she might just make a good Mrs. Claus. Meanwhile, back at the North Pole, Santa has left a mechanical substitute (also played by Allen), who gets wired on a couple of gallons of hot cocoa and decides that all the children have been naughty and will get lumps of coal in their stockings this year.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This overstuffed turkey of a movie wraps itself in holly and hot cocoa only to come to the conclusion that the magic of Christmas is...getting presents. When it comes to the true Christmas spirit, this movie makes Home Alone look like The Gift of the Magi.

Yes, it has Disney's meticulously imaginative art direction, and Allen's comic timing is always a pleasure. But the overall theme that Christmas is about getting the perfect gift, even if you haven't been entirely good, compounded by intrusive product placements for McDonald's and Nestle, will leave the audience feeling like it has just eaten an entire plum pudding. As with the first film, parents should use caution in bringing children who may be grappling with the issue of Santa's existence to see this, and should be prepared to discuss their own traditions and beliefs.

Movie themes & details

Themes
Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Michael Lembeck
Cast: David Krumholtz, Elizabeth Mitchell, Tim Allen
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 104 minutes
Theatrical release: October 27, 2002
DVD release: November 18, 2003
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: general audiences

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

the boy in the ...
teen, 14 years old
 
not as good as the first one
This movie isnt as fun, funny, and it dosent focus on chrismas as much as the first one. Instead it focuses more on santa getting married... Which dosent have much to do with chrismas. I say instead of being all about chrismas it's more about relationships and drama.

Miranda ...
kid, 11 years old
 
I love this movie, ALOT!!!
The funniest movie ever!

Mewat1999
kid, 12 years old
 
i love all the Santa Clauses!!!!
Really young kids love it, and I own its so good.

masteralex
kid, 10 years old
 
santa says I do not know what's going on for goodness sake and others are like oh my gosh

Johan
teen, 18 years old
 
The Whatever Clause... pointless sequel.
They should have left it with only one Santa Clause. This is a pretty corny, occaisionally funny and sometimes heartwarming story. There is some potty humor, including a naked plastic robotic santa. (Just the behind seen.) The robot santa does some very bad stuff that may disillusion kids view about santa. Other than that, its fine. Kids will like this, but its a hunk of smeely cheeze for basically anybody else. Two words: Cor-ny.

indira priyanka
teen, 14 years old
 
santa on the sky
none

MikaylaaMadisonn
teen, 16 years old
 
This movie was awsome!

 
Really Cute.
I am looking foward to seeing tghe third movie because this was very good. I do not see any problem with letting children over 4 or 5 see this fim.

 
I LOVED it...
My 6 year old daughter and I watched this 3 times in 2 days. We absolutely loved it. We laughed at the tushy shot, it really looks more like a doll tushy. This is a must-see holiday movie. I recommend watching The Santa Clause and The Santa Clause 2 together. Wonderful experience.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age