SANTA CLAUS

Cinemavixion Review

A festive, albeit somewhat dated, cinematic offering, "Santa Claus" (1985) attempts to weave a tale of holiday magic threatened by earthly avarice. The plot, featuring a master toymaker who embraces the role of Santa, finds its narrative thrust when a well-meaning elf ventures to New York City and falls into the clutches of a nefarious toy tycoon aiming to commandeer Christmas. While the film aims for charm and wonder, its execution, as indicated by a 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, suggests a struggle to fully capture the hearts of critics and audiences alike, despite a respectable 6.3/10 on IMDb. Directed by Jeannot Szwarc, and starring Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, and David Huddleston, this production from the United Kingdom, United States, and Netherlands offers a unique, if not entirely successful, take on the perennial struggle to save Christmas. Despite its shortcomings, it remains a curious artifact of 80s family cinema, potentially appealing to those seeking a less conventional holiday viewing experience.