Review of Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) by Paul C — 24 Dec 2008

This movie could have garnered a 4 or better, but the silly plot they threw in the second half with evil John Lithgow and the two kids from different sides of the tracks was fairly lame. I suppose it would have worked alright if it had been set as a total period piece in the 1920s or earlier.

But the beginning, where they show the origin of Santa with rich, solid looking set pieces and attention to details, is terrific. David Huddleston is easily the best Santa Claus I've ever seen, with his large size, jolly voice, long hair and beard, thick flowing fur capes, and of course the sleigh. How much he and his wife care for children comes through and you understand why he was chosen to be the eternal gift deliverer. And the elves seem more realistic than most tiny, pointy eared, child-like versions. Less like Santa's peons, and more like they might have always been a race of people who existed in secrecy and have their own ancient legends and reasons for doing things. They remind me a bit of the industrious dwarves or gnomes from fantasy stories. Being by Richard Donner, I always imagine his North Pole must be just down the block from the Fortress of Solitude, at least it looks like they were built by the same production team. A good portion of this movie has always been a favorite of mine since childhood, just wish the rest of the movie was the same.