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.
It senselessly dims an idea that should shine as brightly as Rudolph's nose.
– Peter Howell,
Toronto Star,
9 Nov 2007
rotten:
As derivative and predictable as any of the holiday comedies of the past few years, providing audiences with at best a handful of laughs. Most of it is uninspired.
– Claudia Puig,
USA Today,
9 Nov 2007
fresh:
There are some scattered big laughs and a sweet message here, so I'm giving it a mild recommendation.
– Richard Roeper,
Ebert & Roeper,
12 Nov 2007
rotten:
The movie is less ho-ho-ho than uh-oh, or oh-no.
– Richard Corliss,
TIME Magazine,
12 Nov 2007
fresh:
Dobkin's film is lit up by a couple of genius scenes: first, a siblings support-group attended by Frank Stallone, Stephen Baldwin and Roger Clinton; second, a superb in-joke triggering Spacey's redemptive thaw-out, stoking a festive glow against the odds.