This review was made possible due to the first two episodes of The Santa Clauses provided by Disney+ for review. The Santa Clauses streams on Disney+ from Wednesday November 16.
Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is back! After being Santa Claus for nearly thirty years, he’s as jolly as ever. But as Christmas declines in popularity, so does his Santa magic. Scott struggles to keep up with the demands of the job, as well as being there for his family. Upon discovering there is a way to retire from his post, Scott considers stepping down as Santa Claus and finding a worthy successor so that he can become a better father and husband. Despite it still only being November, both Santa Camp and Spirited have been and gone and are already filling us with the festive spirit for the most wonderful time of year, The Santa Clauses arrives this week on Disney+ and after 16 years of waiting, fans can finally be reunited with the Calvin family and the North Pole!
First Of all, ‘The Santa Clauses’ is Great!
I have loved the original trilogy for years, and it’s always been an annual tradition around the festive season that I sit down and rewatch the films… whether that was on Disney Cinemagic, BBC or Disney+. Wherever the films were being aired, I was there.
My biggest praise of this show, and its double episode premiere, is that it truly feels like a continuation of the existing trilogy. From the sets, to the music to the characters (old and new) themselves – it all feels like you’ve come home from a long trip and have been greeted with this huge hug. Tim Allen has been infectious as the iconic character for decades now, and he is just as infectious in the role this time around. When he puts on that suit, there is something so magic about what unfolds on screen, even if the magic of Christmas is fading during the events of the series.
Great to see him back in the role for sure. Allen is reunited with his on-screen son Charlie Calvin (Eric Lloyd), now with his family of his own who hopes will take over the title of Santa Claus from Scott… will he? Only time will tell.
The Santa Clauses introduces viewers to Scott and Carol’s kids, Cal (Austin Kane) and Sandra (Elizabeth Allen-Dick), who after a lifetime exposed to the North Pole hope to see the real world in the series. Cal is a typical, hilarious teenager obsessed with the virtual world. Kane’s portrayal is fun to watch, despite child-like at times there is plenty to laugh at especially when he is subject to the real world, separated from his VR headset.
Kal Penn’s Simon Choksi and Rupali Redd’s Grace Choksi introduction reminded me a lot of Scott and Charlie’s early Santa Clause moments. Two new additions, who are brought together by the magic of Santa Claus and Christmas. I’m still not sold on Penn’s character two episodes in. but I’m certain his trip to a certain location will allow for some more warming to the character and some more development.
Someone who we are yet to see the return of (however, he is mentioned) is the former head elf Bernard (David Krumholtz), last seen in The Santa Clause 2 – I cannot wait for the GOAT to finally be back on our screens… it will be terrific, I’m sure.
A Modern Santa Claus
From the misunderstood list, to the idea of Mrs Claus, to Amazon dominating the Christmas market, there are plenty of welcomed changes to bring The Santa Clauses into the modern era of festivities. Online shopping wasn’t really a huge thing for buying presents back when Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause arrived in 2007 so it’s interesting to see the internet finally being tackled in a Santa project.
With a world of social media, conspiracy theories and online shopping, I really liked the approach the writers took to the mythos of Santa Claus and how he now doesn’t visit the houses of non-believers, despite wanting to keep as many people believing in the big guy in the red suit.
It is also wonderful seeing Mrs Claus (Elizabeth Mitchell) back, and we see her question her role by Santa’s side during the series, something that wasn’t really acknowledged in the films, and what the idea of a “Mrs Claus” really is. I think this idea will be played on a lot throughout the series and it has led me to believe that by the end of the series, a certain someone will take over the role of Santa Claus, but I will be keeping my prediction to myself for the meantime.
Fa La La La Laughs
I’m going to say it, The Santa Clauses is very funny. Whether it’s the comedic dynamic of Santa and Noel, his trusty sidekick played by Devin Bright, arguably the show’s funniest and best addition. The concept of teens playing adult elves is always a funny thing to watch, but I think the teens playing these elves do a great job. From Devin Blight’s Noel, Matilda Lawler’s Head Elf Betty and Isabelle Bennett’s Edie are all fun to watch, and I’m sure booking this gig would have been so fun for them too.
The worst thing about the series, however, is a god awful cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, but this time titled “Elves Just Wanna Have Fun” – an incredibly painful 60 seconds. A festive instrumental of “Eye of the Tiger” does make up for it, though.
Despite only having watched two episodes, I am so excited to see where this story goes, and I hope that there is a possibility for more beyond the limited series and the introduction of Disney+ three years ago really opens up opportunities for more stories past The Santa Clauses. As I previously mentioned, I already have a theory on how and who the story could follow after, but I shall save that for a rainy day…
Final Thoughts
I am pleased to say I really enjoyed the first two episodes of The Santa Clauses, and really look forward to the rest of the limited series. Tim Allen is back and better than ever as the festive icon as he begins to adapt with the change and plans on retiring. It is a lot of fun, and should be on everyone’s radar this festive season. I am so glad this was made – it reminds us all of the joys of believing, and truly just how magic Christmas is.
The Santa Clauses arrives on Disney+ with a double episode premiere on November 16. Check out the trailer below:
