Fred Claus

11/9/20071h 55m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Everybody has that one relative who can't help but cause problems over the holidays. Even Santa. ~

Overview:

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.

Director:

David Dobkin

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$100,000,000.00

Revenue:

$97,800,000.00

Key words:

sleigh
sibling relationship
elves
holiday
brother
santa claus
earth
reindeer
snow
north pole
christmas
brothers

Cast

Vince Vaughn

~ as ~

Fred Claus

Paul Giamatti

~ as ~

Nick (Santa) Claus

John Michael Higgins

~ as ~

Willie

Miranda Richardson

~ as ~

Annette Claus

Rachel Weisz

~ as ~

Wanda Blinkowski

Kathy Bates

~ as ~

Mother Claus

Trevor Peacock

~ as ~

Papa Claus

Ludacris

~ as ~

DJ Donnie

Elizabeth Banks

~ as ~

Charlene

Jeremy Swift

~ as ~

Bob Elf

View full cast & crew

Reviews (2)

John Chard
Written 10 year(s) ago
7
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
Kamurai
Written 4 year(s) ago
4
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.