MovieChat Forums > Fred Claus (2007) Discussion > why was this movie just mediocre or NOT ...

why was this movie just mediocre or NOT modern classic?

posted 16 years ago by Slickguy2000
7 replies | jump to latest

Hey:

When I first heard about this movie, I had fairly high hopes. I believed it would become a modern classic, like ELF or THE SANTA CLAUS. Needless to say, this was a decent movie, a solid movie, if you see it on HBO you should definitely watch it, heck, even make it a Blockbuster night, but, falls short of being a modern classic. Solid two star movie in my opinion.

My question is why? Paul Giamani (exceptional actor), Vince Vaughn (extremely funny), Kathy Bates (why not!), Elizabeth Banks (hot!), and most importantly, the story was unique and I have never seen anything like it before. Also, director of Wedding Crashers and a decent budget, should have been a three star classic.

My question is why in your opinion is it not really a modern classic? or maybe you do and want to argue the point. I feel the the movie just lacked finding its voice. At points, it tried to appeal to kiddies (using silly sound effects and over the top gags) and at other points it appealed to adults (Fred Claus backstory, caring for Fred Claus, Fred Claus conflict with Santa something every brother can relate to). The movie just never found its rhythm and couldn't really decide who to appeal to. A dark comedy, a crazy kids flick, a classic christmas film. Never made a clear decision and that is why it was just a decent movie and not a great movie.

I would really like to heard from other people b/c I so wanted to put this movie on par with ELF, but, I just can't. What did you think and why. Thank you.

DS

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] gelguitarist1 16 years ago

I just watched it this evening and thought that it had the potential to be a great Christmas comedy. I loved the first 15 minutes or so with Vince Vaughn's exchange with that young girl and the sequence with the multiple Santas chasing after him. I even loved when Fred Claus went to the North Pole at first. But alas, the story got a little bit too "cornballish" for me and the last half is not nearly as funny as the first half. I was thinking the same thing as the OP before I got on this board--it's a solid two star film but don't expect it to be a classic (unless you're maybe 10 years old or below that).

"Life is short but sweet for certain."
--Dave Matthews (Two Step)

[–] Gdub33 16 years ago

Well I'm 19 and loved it. The only thing I thought was cornballish was when the narrator said something like "saints live for eternity, and so do their spouses and parents." That was kinda lame, that and the horrible sound effects.

But then again I usually watch shows like South Park and It's always Sunny in Phili so maybe it was more refreshing to me watching a movie that had a lot of emotion in it.

[–] INeedUnguent 16 years ago

The movie just never found its rhythm and couldn't really decide who to appeal to. A dark comedy, a crazy kids flick, a classic christmas film. Never made a clear decision and that is why it was just a decent movie and not a great movie.

I just saw this movie and I liked it. I agree it's not a classic, but I'm glad I saw it and I'll probably watch it again during holidays to come. But I sat through it thinking 'Who is the target audience for this?'. It's too dark and knowing to be for the kiddies, too schmaltzy at the end to be for teens, too juvenile to be for mature adults. ???

Having a Boo Radley moment, are we?

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] vincentvega94 16 years ago

Agreed! It definitley suffers from an identity crisis.

Seems like it wanted to be BAD SANTA at times and also wanted to be something like ELF or THE SANTA CLAUS.

[–] Kariann1 16 years ago

No, it isn't a classic, but is worth renting on DVD. I thought they dragged on the snow ball fight scene a bit too long. It was good to see Kevin Spacey's character turn to the good side. There were some soft-hearted moments which saved the film. Such great stars should have made this a great movie. Sadly, it didn't.