25 Days of Christmas: Day Ten

The Santa Clause (1994)

"It's Santa! You killed him!" - Charlie











This is the second film in this years viewing that has the job of Santa being one that is passed on. Unfortunately, in this version it passes on when the current Santa dies. In this flick he falls off a roof and, I'm guessing, breaks his neck and dies instantly. This is a pretty dark movie if you think about it. After the big guy dies none of the elves even morn the guys passing. It's business as usual for them and they don't even miss a beat. Not to mention the guy who takes over the job is pretty much responsible for his death in the first place.

Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, a toy designer that inherits the role of Santa Claus and bumbles his way into adventure through out the course of this flick. He's joined by his young son Charlie most of the time and this leads to some issues as Scott is divorced and his ex thinks that being with Scott is hurting the mental stability of their son.

I like the year we get to see before Scott becomes the man himself as he struggles with magical weight gain and a beard that grows back the second he shaves it. The fat suit used in this movie is pretty flawless and Tim Allen wears it well.

Scott's attitude shifts as the year goes on as he inherits other abilities as well such as knowing if people are naughty or nice. When the elves do come for him he is prepared but still questioning that whole mess he's gotten himself into.

The bottom line is that this is a pretty decent Christmas movie. It has all the family drama, the magic, and a pretty good dose of humor that makes repeated viewings hold up.

The thing I keep coming back to though is the lack of mourning over the death of the Santa before Scott. How many Santa's have died in the line of service for all the elves to become so jaded? Even Charlie, Scott's young son, doesn't seem to broken up over the fact that the man has died. He's just really excited that his dad is now wearing the dead man's clothes. It's a little morbid and a fact that gets to me every time I watch the flick.

What happens when Tim Allen dies while trying to deliver the toys one year? Will it continue to be business as usual? Will Charlie care then?

Maybe I'm thinking about it too much...