The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause ***

Now, be logical. I really just can't bring myself to giving "The Santa Clause 3" anything lower than what I did. You don't walk into it expecting cinematic art. You don't walk in expecting to remember it years later, and you don't walk into it expecting something new and original. You walk in expecting an innocent Christmas fable, and also the continuing adventures of a character that I've been watching since I was seven years old-Tim Allen's Santa Clause. While nothing ever beats the original, which seems to be mandatory viewing this time of year, this is enjoyable. It is clean, bright, colorful, and even though it was released in the beginning of November, it does put you in the Christmas mood. There is no reason to dislike this film, unless you are a first class Scrooge.

Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, who years ago killed the existing Santa Claus, who fell off his roof. By putting on the big man's suit, he becomes the big man himself, and even though it took an entire movie for him to accept the fact that he is Santa, by number three he can't imagine ever having a different job. Santa is experiencing the same problems as usual. There is a ticking Christmas deadline, and he is trying to balance work and family. His wife is about to expect a baby any day now, and she is also upset with the fact that by becoming Mrs. Claus she had to leave everything behind. And that includes her parents. So, Santa gets the idea of bringing the in-laws to the North Pole. He is then warned by the head elf that by bringing someone from the outside world into the North Pole, he risks revealing the Santa secret. So Scott has the elves transform the Pole into Canada. And then he brings the in-laws from the world below, as well as his own family-his ex-wife, her husband, and his son Charlie, and his niece Lucy. Santa then has to face another problem with the risk of the jealous Jack Frost, played perfectly by Martin Short. Jack Frost is tired of being the opening act to Santa Claus, and decides to try and take over the holiday himself. Frost learns that there is a way to get Scott to not be Santa anymore, and all Scott has to do is wish that he isn't Santa anymore and at the same time be touching the magical snow globe that he created when he first became Santa. And so Frost sets out to do just that. . .

It's a silly story, but for the kids its harmless, family entertainment. I really cannot see a reason why anyone should hate this. And it is even pretty entertaining, with only one of two truly eye rolling and cringing moments. We know that it'll have a happy ending, and that the good guys will triumph, but it's acceptable entertainment. And it was fun seeing Alan Arkin after being subjected to his cocaine and porn habit in "Little Miss Sunshine." There were a few clever chuckles to be had, like the quest to turn the North Pole into Canada, and Martin Short is always worth a laugh.So for Christ's sake, it's Christmas, and a movie like "The Santa Clause 3" is exactly what is expected this time of year. So instead of complaining at how stupid and lame it is, just take it for what it is-a silly little Christmas story. The Santa Clause trilogy may have went downhill after the first, but they are all worthy holiday flicks. I have a feeling this isn't the last time we visit these characters, and the next will most likely be released for a new generation. Ho ho ho. . .