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Though it's harmless as family entertainment and has moments of charm, The Santa Clause 2 is also predictable and forgettable.
All Critics (114) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (63) | Rotten (51) | DVD (17)
The scenes in which Fake Santa torments the elves with a toy soldier army are twisted enough to make it worth sticking around through the mawkish courtship. Nov 12, 2002
The scenes in which Fake Santa torments the elves with a toy soldier army are twisted enough to make it worth sticking around through the mawkish courtship.
Ben Kenigsberg
The Santa Clause 2 is a barely adequate babysitter for older kids, but I've got to give it thumbs down. Nov 5, 2002
The Santa Clause 2 is a barely adequate babysitter for older kids, but I've got to give it thumbs down.
Richard Roeper
A bloated, prefab sequel that gets stuck in the chimney. Nov 2, 2002 | Rating: C-
A bloated, prefab sequel that gets stuck in the chimney.
Robert Denerstein
Has less charm than coal in a stocking. Nov 1, 2002
Has less charm than coal in a stocking.
Desson Thomson
A movie conscious, at every waking moment, of trying to out-do its predecessor. Nov 1, 2002 | Full Review…
A movie conscious, at every waking moment, of trying to out-do its predecessor.
Scott Foundas
If you value your time and money, find an escape clause and avoid seeing this trite, predictable rehash. Nov 1, 2002 | Full Review…
If you value your time and money, find an escape clause and avoid seeing this trite, predictable rehash.
Claudia Puig
I loved Tim Allen in The Santa Clause. It was a perfect match for his self-effacing humor. And he's even better in Santa Clause 2. Jan 3, 2018 | Rating: B | Full Review…
I loved Tim Allen in The Santa Clause. It was a perfect match for his self-effacing humor. And he's even better in Santa Clause 2.
Joel Siegel
This one deserves a "bah humbug." Dec 29, 2010 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
This one deserves a "bah humbug."
Nell Minow
Sitcom-level predictability and treacle. Jan 29, 2009 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Sitcom-level predictability and treacle.
Michael Dequina
...more of a high-tech extravaganza than a touching fantasy. Nov 13, 2003 | Rating: 5/10 | Full Review…
...more of a high-tech extravaganza than a touching fantasy.
John J. Puccio
Fun for those for whom Hogwarts or Middle Earth are a little too tiring or scary, a cinematic lump of coal for everyone else. Aug 18, 2003 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
Fun for those for whom Hogwarts or Middle Earth are a little too tiring or scary, a cinematic lump of coal for everyone else.
Harry Guerin
Amazingly, the film juggles all the elements well without being messy, instead playing fair and tying up all the loose ends. Jun 27, 2003 | Rating: 3/4
Amazingly, the film juggles all the elements well without being messy, instead playing fair and tying up all the loose ends.
Nick Rogers
Being the sequel to one of my favourite Christmas movies, I dreaded that this would tarnish my good memories of the original. But as much as I prepared myself for a suck-fest beyond measure, I quickly came to discover that my fears were unfounded. Sure, the script is about as thick as a ginger bread man, and yes, there's an abundance of random goofing around. But the spirit and joy of the original is still pretty much intact. Santa's workshop remains vibrant with fun activity, and although a few ornaments short of an epic Christmas tree, it's sufficiently entertaining and even touching at times. More with kudos to the cast though, than due to any other element. So for a follow-up with such a weak and skeletal plot, this was far from ho-ho-horrible.
Super Reviewer
Stupid, but good for completely mindless entertainment. I LOVED the first one as a kid - so strange to see everyone so much older in this one.
Sweet movie for kids, but at many times very dumb and childish.
A rather forced sequel at times. I hated this on my initial viewing 8 years ago, as it spat on the memory I had of the original. This year I watched them back to back and it actually played a lot better. The film still has some major issues. Most of all, it can't balance the adult and children's views. The tone is very slapstick and childish. Bernard seems less bitter, and Breslin is boy that shouts rather than acts. He seems to try and copy the mannerisms of his favorite actors. Despite the immature tone, we have a love story which isn't all that interesting. There are some great heartwarming bits, such as the Secret Santa scene, but Allen also comes off as desperate (which his character is) and creepy sometimes. The fake Santa is a great comedic villain, and the fun Allen has with him makes up for the slow romance and seriousness he displays elsewhere. A bit disappointing, but worthwhile over Christmas.
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