Manuel Veloria
Who knew that Santa has an older brother? And who knew that he turned out to be naughty one who sparked sibling rivalry for the first holiday movie of the year as “Fred Claus” opens nationwide Friday.
Out in the North Pole is Santa’s workshop were he makes his toys and reviews who’s been naughty and nice, while in Chicago “Fred Claus,” Santa’s older brother, works as a repo man and seems to be jaded as Christmas comes near.
Vince Vaughn plays the title character, Santa’s older brother, who is disgruntled because he thinks that his younger brother is better than him. Vaughn, who co-produced the film, never fails never fails to the amuse audience with his witty hilarious lewd humor making the movie PG for mild language and some rude humor.
Its subtle theme of Christmas takes the joy out of “Fred Claus.” Also don’t expect that “Fred” ,being Santa’s older brother, makes him all nicer and jolly, for the film focuses more on how “Fred,” the first-born, suffers when his younger brother out-performs him.
Beyond the conflict with his brother, the construction of the plot seems to be vague as it jumps from relationship problems to scandalous “get rich” money schemes.
While it lacks some necessity of a good cute laughter, Screenwriter Dan Fogelman “Cars” and Director David Dobkin “Wedding Crashers” managed to keep the film poised in its 116-minutes run-time mixed with vulgar and clean jokes.
On other hand, the film casting is quite exceptional with Paul Giamatti (Santa), Kathy Bates (Mother Claus) and Rachel Weisz (Wanda) with cameos of Roger Clinton (Bill Clinton’s brother), Frank Stallone and Stephen Baldwin.
Kevin Spacey once again gives a good impression of how an antagonist can be enigmatic and ruthless as he did in other movies such as “se7en” and “Superman Returns.” He plays Clyde, a Scrooge-like character, who’s trying to put Santa out of business.
The setting is wonderful, from the little cozy house where Santa was born, to the snowbound town filled with gleaming lights where Santa makes his toys and to Chicago’s busy streets where “Fred” runs loose dressing himself as his brother to pretends to work for the Salvation Army.
Yet with its dazzling grand colorful set production, the special effects seem a litter off as Ludacris (DJ Donnie) and John Michael Higgins (Willy), who played elves in the film, seem like their faces just got pasted on another body. On the other hand, the audience will be amazed on how the set made Santa’s hand so much fatter and hairy than his body mass.
Even with its shortcomings in some parts, “Fred Claus” is still a family film for the holidays as it delivers everything you expect from a Christmas movie. Silly, heartwarming and fuzzy, making children of all ages think whether it’ll be “Fred Claus” delivering their Christmas presents instead of Santa.
Overall Rating: C-