Fred Claus
2007
Fred Claus and Santa Claus have been estranged brothers for many years. Now Fred must reconcile his differences with his brother whom he believes overshadows him. When an efficiency expert assesses the workings at the North Pole and threatens to shut Santa down, Fred must help his brother to save Christmas.
Reviews
John Chard
Fred Claus (2007)
Saving Christmas and Building Bridges.
It does exactly what it says on the Xmas Movie Tin. Poorly received by the critics and equally unsupported by the internet hordes, Fred Claus may be guilty of sentimentality, but for those in need of a pick me up during yuletide then it delivers the requisite smiles to faces.
Vince Vaughn is Fred, brother of Santa (Paul Giamatti), who has grown up resenting his elder brother. When Fred is in desperate need of cash he gets in touch with Santa to ask for a big loan, Santa will oblige if Fred comes up to the North Pole to work for it. Anger, mirth and bonding does follow as Fred causes mayhem among the elves and finds himself pitched in the middle of a nefarious plan being hatched by Clyde Archibald Northcutt (Kevin Spacey).
Not all the gags work but there are some genuinely funny moments, while the romantic threads are a touch too twee. Yet this wears its Xmas movie heart firmly on its red clothed sleeve, and there's nothing wrong with that. 7/10 see more
16 May 2024
Kamurai
Decent watch at best, probably won't watch again, but can recommend for off-brand holiday movies.
While I like watching Vince Vaughn beat up Santa Claus as much as the next person, I'm not a big Vince Vaughn fan. I'd rather see what Paul Giamotti can do with the Santa role, honestly.
Kevin Spacey, being very much himself, is awful, or his character is, and a story needs a good villain. Being a whiny spoiled kid in an adult body doesn't really do it for me, especially in a Santa setting. see more
23 Jun 2021
More like this
A Golden Christmas
2009
Freddy Got Fingered
2001
Royally Ever After
2018
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
2000
Being Canadian
2015
The Foot Fist Way
2006
A Chipmunk Christmas
1981
A Simple Wish
1997
Redbelt
2008
The Day the Earth Caught Fire
1961
Scrooge
1970
Call Me Claus
2001
The Nutcracker in 3D
2010
Miracle on 34th Street
1947
Permanent Vacation
1981
Tô Ryca!
2016
The New Daughter
2009
Four Christmases
2008
Unaccompanied Minors
2006
12 Dates of Christmas
2011