3 1/2 Stars:
Finally a family movie that is actually for the entire family, this movie is kid friendly, but contains adult related humor (at least one erectile dysfunction joke) that the kids will never understand. Having said that, I love Vince Vaughn. Always have, from "Swingers" to "Old School" to "Wedding Crashers," he just knows how to talk. His improvisational skills have paved the way for guys like Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd.
Vince Vaughn plays "Fred Claus," brother to Nicholas Claus (played by Paul Giamatti). Ever since the day Nick was born he was favored by their mother (played by Kathy Bates). Nick was an extremely nice and bright kid, but he seemed to lack common sense. Fred had a favorite tree with a bird house in it. Nick cut that tree down crushing the bird house, because he was creating the Christmas tree for Fred. He thought Fred would love it. Nick is such a good person he eventually becomes a Saint - St. Nick.
Fred moves to Chicago and becomes a guy that just tries to get by. He is able to talk himself out of almost any situation. He forgets his girlfriend's birthday (played by Rachel Weisz) and convinces her that he has a tremendous surprise for her. He then decides that the surprise has been ruined. He sees a billboard behind her about a new restaurant and tells her that's what the surprise is. At the same time he is trying to work out a business deal where he needs $50K for his share of the investment.
In order to raise $50K, Fred decides to stand on the street corner and make like a charity and ring a bell just like all the other Santa Claus's on the street. Eventually all of the Santa's chase after him and Fred ends up in jail. After failing to get a hold of his girlfriend (who's sitting in the restaurant alone and pissed), he decides to call his brother Nick. He asks his brother Nick to bail him out and in the same breath asks for $50K. He bails Fred out but demands that Fred come to the North Pole to earn the $50K.
While Fred is arriving at the North Pole, an efficiency expert is investigating Santa's operation. He's already put the Easter Bunny out of business and cut the Tooth Fairy back. The efficiency expert is played by Kevin Spacey, who's perfect for the part. The efficiency expert notices that Fred and Nick don't get along, so he does everything he can to make them fail. Fred and Nick butt heads the entire time. Fred's job is to decide which kids are naughty and which kids are nice. Fred believes that whether a kid is naughty or nice they should get a present on Christmas and marks all the kids nice. Nick is upset, because they don't have the manpower to meet the demand Fred created. Fred eventually leaves with his $50K and after a hilarious scene where he goes to Siblings Anonymous (some great cameos here) he has a change of heart and goes back to help his brother.
This isn't the best movie ever, but it is certainly a lot of fun. The cast is amazing with Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Kathy Bates, Rachel Weisz, Kevin Spacey, Ludacris and Elizabeth Banks, not to mention a handful of cameos. If you're either a big Vince Vaughn fan, or just craving a newer, fresher holiday film, check this out, I think you'll like it.
BYLINE:
Bob Zerull is a frequent movie and concert goer who talks about his ventures to arenas and theaters more than any person should be allowed to do. Now, he puts them down on paper. Email him your thoughts at: bzerull19@gmail.com.
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