I’m back with The Santa Clauses 3: The Escape Clause, which my Bonnie Bride and I watched, still unable to convince Little Miss to join us, and we find that the legal contract binding Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) in the role of Santa Clause as an Exit Clause, referred to in the film as “Escape Clause”, and there is a new trouble maker in town; the semi-legendary figure Jack Frost(Martin Short). Most of the cast from the preceding two movies have returned for this film, noticeably absent is Bernard (David Krumholtz), which resulted in Curtis (Spencer Breslin) taking over duties has Head Elf. The Council of Legendary Figures also return with the same cast reprising their roles, with Sandman (Worf! aka Michael Dorn) taking a more prominent role in the story in between his nap times.
As the story opens, we get a bit of a flashback to the recent events leading into Christmas from Carol Clause’s (Elizabeth Mitchell) perspective, and how Jack Frost tried to destroy Christmas and the Secret of Santa. A bit of a plot spoiler there. Sorry. We also get to meet “the in-laws”. Carol’s parents, played by Ann-Margret (so many great films over the years) and Alan Arkin (Peevy from Rocketeer!). And trying to keep said in-laws from discovering the Truth about Scott and Carol being Santa and Mrs. Clause. Bedlam will ensue, especially with Jack Frost getting into quite a bit of mischief.
That being said, this film is a really fun film, as good ass the second film, but night quite as good as the first, and may prove important to watch before diving into the Disney series, which my Bonnie Bride and I have yet to start watching. The film also channels it’s inner It’s a Wonderful Life to convey part of the story as to why Scott really does like being Santa, despite the secrecy and the hard work, and so on, and being, well, Legendary. During this part of the film the story of Santa rails against the mass commercialization of Christmas, and looks to getting back to what the season is all about, albeit in a more secular way – it’s not about mass marketing, but the joy of appreciating what we all have – family and friends.
I think I can sum up the trilogy as follows:
The Santa Clause – The Joy of Christmas, as Scott, Laura and Neil rediscover the joy of Santa. The Santa Clause 2 – The Magic of Christmas, as Scott uses the magic of the season to bring back the Magic of Santa to Carol, as Christmas is a magical time of year. The Santa Clause 3 – The Spirit of Christmas as Scott relearns the importance of Christmas and why the commercialization is not in keeping with the Spirit of Christmas. Maybe Jack Frost did have a hand in that lesson.
All in all, my Bonnie Bride and I enjoyed all three films, and we are now looking forward to watching the series, which is set 28 years after the original movie, with Charlie (appearing in the show) and Lucy (not appearing) are adults, and the parents (Scott and Carol, no Luara and Neil) are, well, 20+ years older than when they started down this path. It should be fun.
In the meantime, thanks for stopping by, and if you enjoy Christmas movies, be sure to give these films a shot. They are worth it.
Note - I do have to crop the images I use, otherwise they tend to not load properly.
