An absolute waste of money

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

I have no idea what movie those who rated this as the best Christmas movie ever were watching, but it couldn't have been this one. This is definitely not a Christmas Classic as advertised. In fact as an avid Christmas movie fan and collector, I had never even heard of this one before. No wonder! The first 3/4 of the movie SLOWLY develop the things we know about Santa and the last quarter involve what felt like a last minute add on that involved the villain John Lithgow. The script is amateurish and annoying, with bad "self/elf" puns, emo reindeer that you just want to shoot, the cheesiest special effects ever seen since the 50's and the child actors are terrible.Dudley Moore, Burgess Meredith and John Lithgow get top billing to make this movie look like it might be something when in fact, the lead actor is actually David Huddleston who delivers the only good performance despite the bad writing. Meredith's part is merely a short cameo appearance.In the 32 Christmas seasons that this has been out, I have never seen it advertised in the lineups of any of the major networks which shows just how much of a loser this film really is. Don't waste your time

These are the kind of movies I hated as a kid - message films that told me how to feel, act and behave. This is why Godzilla and King Kong are my idea of holiday films - beasts condemned by the world who only want to destroy the works of man! Feliz navidad!

the prophecy has come to pass there would come to a chosen one once upon a time long time ago a toymaker was given amazing powers and was chosen to live in the north pole with elves to deliver gifts all over the world this is the origin story of the big man him self thus Santa clause the most beloved of legends came to pass Santa clause and his wife Anya and patch played by Dudley more live happily in the north pole but because patch is a futurist and likes to stream line but his plan goes hay wire so he leaves for new York where he meets a ruthless but dangerous toy maker bz this is john litgow he likes money and ticks patch into trying to take over from Santa at Xmas Santa finds out his plans and with two children he has befriended over the years and a few sick reindeer out of action Santa mounts a rescue plan as patches car plane over heats with his lolly pop magic so with magic on hand and patch looking for help this magical movie has the spirit of Xmas alive in everyone my 144 film review at 1hr4mins 7/10 this is saw in the cinema

This is a big-budget Christmas movie that has both considerable charm and glaring weaknesses, but hopefully this review can help potential viewers understand the film (and its oddities) a little better. The main thing to understand is that the film is basically two movies in one. There is almost literally a split in the middle of the movie, effectively separating the first half from the second half.The first half of the film is a quaint, heartwarming depiction of the origins of Santa Claus and his wife Anya- how they came to the North Pole, fulfilling an ancient prophecy from the elves, and various origins of famous Christmas associations (such as the boy who prompted Santa to start the "Naughty and Nice" list).The second half of the film all but ignores Santa and heartwarming feelings and becomes a zany slapstick comedy involving one of the elves (Dudley Moore) and his dealings with a dastardly businessman (John Lithgow) who schemes to take over Christmas.The curious aspect of a feature film with two distinct parts to it might be slightly jarring to the viewer, especially since both halves of the movie differ so much in tone. If you think of it, however, as like watching two different episodes of a television show, it might help to ease the feeling of unevenness.In short, this is a movie where the ingredients are more entertaining than the actual plot. David Huddleston and Judy Cornwell are very nice as the traditional Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and the North Pole toy shop is how you always imagined Santa's workshop to be. Wonderful John Lithgow is completely hilarious as the comically villainous B.Z., and he pretty much steals the show in the second half of the film. But many questions about Santa Claus are neatly answered in this movie (such as how the reindeer fly and how Santa is able to fly around the whole world in just one night).It's a Christmas movie that both works and doesn't work, but there are many ingredients- the cozy Christmas feel of the first part and the zany comedy of the second- that make for satisfying holiday viewing, and might enhance a Christmas movie collection, as long as you just sit back and let the ingredients of the film carry you through.