 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Santa Clause 2
- Review Date: May 2, 2004
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
This one deserves a "bah humbug."
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
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.
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AGE
There's no bah humbug about it! This second installment packs more laughter than the first.
Common Sense is really starting to grasp at straws when it comes to the sexual aspect of ther reviews. I mean really? You're going to complain about a toy's naked tushie that's only visible for like 2 seconds, meanwhile the main character is going on dates with women in order to get married before Christmas so he can stay Santa Claus? Yeah, that makes perfect sense... Not. Anyways... Santa is back! And this time Charlie is a grown up (yay for all of us teenagers!). And is starting to have some issues at school with graffiti which causes friction between him and his father, who he believes is not around enough. A new reindeer is also inducted into the sleigh lineup: Chet. He is possibly the most hilarious reindeer ever. And he's only a baby. Because Scott feels overworked and wants to be with Charlie more, he makes a toy copy of himself to run the North Pole while he's gone. From there chaos ensues. Toy Santa decides to take matters into his own hands and give everyone coal for Christmas. It's up to Charlie, Santa, and possibly the future Mrs. Claus?? to save the day. Comments? Questions? Concerns? Email me: ogormanscommonsense at yahoo. :)
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Kid, 12 years old
March 22, 2011
AGE
I love this movie, ALOT!!!
The funniest movie ever!
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Kid, 12 years old
February 19, 2011
AGE
i love all the Santa Clauses!!!!
Really young kids love it, and I own its so good.
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Kid, 10 years old
April 10, 2010
AGE
santa says I do not know what's going on for goodness sake and others are like oh my gosh
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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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| Topics: | holidays |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Michael Lembeck |
| Cast: | David Krumholtz, Elizabeth Mitchell, Tim Allen |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 104 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 27, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | November 18, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
| MPAA explanation: | general audiences |
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