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The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Review

Movies.com Critics

3.5

Dave White Profile

As battles go, it's no Freddy vs. Jason. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 2.0
    32

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    The New York Times Manohla Dargis

    One of the good things about bad movies is that when someone sneers about the unworthiness of a perfectly mediocre film like, say, "Crash," you can turn to a seriously unworthy film like, say, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause and laugh. Ho. Ho. Ho.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

    To borrow a cliche from another medium, Santa might have jumped the shark.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Variety Justin Chang

    Not unlike the shiny snow globe at its center, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause is a thing of consummate craftsmanship, a smoothly engineered and fundamentally lifeless object that's nevertheless capable of giving even the grinchiest moviegoers a brief attack of the warm-and-fuzzies.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly

    This Styrofoam snowman of a sequel overdoses on its own candy-cane-colored sugary cheer.

    Read Full Review

  • 60

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Gene Seymour

    As a full-service holiday movie, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause gets you into the mood to shop early and often by making the North Pole look like a shopping mall with a never-ending school pageant.

    Read Full Review

  • See all The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 5+

Magical (if mindless) family holiday fun.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that kids will probably be eager to see the third tale in this fun, tame holiday movie series. Although it's rated G, there's still plenty of slapstick violence. Jack smacks Scott in the face with a snow shovel, and, in another scene, Jack gets run into and knocked over. That said, Santa's pad at the North Pole is one happy place. There are plenty of magical scenes in this movie that make you believe reindeer really can fly and magic really does exist in the world. And, oh, all those sweet treats!

  • Families can talk about the differences in the way Jack and Scott view Christmas. Scott loves being Santa and bringing joy and magic to people all over the world, while Jack is only in it for his own gain. Does Jack's scheming pay off in the end? And, what is Christmas truly all about? The candy and presents? The magic and joy and spending time with people you love? The religious significance? This is a great opportunity for families to talk about their own holiday traditions and beliefs.

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Jack is selfish and wants to be Santa for his own gain. He schemes and tricks Scott into relinquishing his Santa role. Jack is rude to kids and adults, "frosts" people, and causes Christmas chaos everywhere.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence and scariness: Some slapstick violence: Scott gets smacked in the face with a shovel; in another scene, his pants are on fire. Jack gets knocked over. Also, Santa falls off a roof and disappears -- literally -- leaving behind only his clothes.

  • sex false0

    Sexy stuff: Mrs. Claus is pregnant.

  • language false0

    Language: Not an issue

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Toys and snow globes factor greatly into the storyline.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.521
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

by GrouchyPeopleHater

3

by tiggergirl

3

by macorrea

3

by skreenqueens2

2

What were they thinking by jackson_4
I liked the first two movies in this series, so I was looking foward to taking my 5 year old son to see the 3rd installment. Little did I know that the movie would revolve around grumpy in-laws, upset wife, and trouble trouble trouble. There was so much discord and tension that my son started asking to leave after about 20 minutes. There was also a disturbing message sent that being Santa is nothing more than possessing the costume. Frankly, this movie was too dark and had too little of a positive message to be for younger viewers. Older children might learn some lessons about needing to communicate in times of stress, but all my son saw was upset adults snapping at each other.

5

by charlii

4

by Vallygoil

4

Santa Claus 3 by Razorbackfan
My family enjoyed the movie, we didn't think it was as good as the 1st one but it's still a great holiday movie. I'm sure we'll add it to our collection when it comes out on DVD.

4

by cobraDad

4

by moviefan4083

Read all The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause reviews at Fandango
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