The Santa Clause 2 review

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Stop where you are! Don't just look at the title, sigh "Another crap sequel" and skim on to the next review. You may not want to believe it, but the belated follow-up to Tim Allen's 1994 clunker is actually a pretty good movie.

SC1 saw average guy Scott Calvin (Allen) become Santa after accidentally knocking the old incumbent off his roof and killing him. Now, eight years later, he's happily ensconced up in the North Pole. Trouble is, if he doesn't find a wife by Christmas Eve, he has to quit being Santa forever. So back Scott heads to the real world in search of a bride...

Sweet? Yes. Sentimental? You bet. But like all the best Christmas pictures, this doesn't let the schmaltz swamp the wit or the charm - and has a sledload of both. Allen cuts a fine, funny figure as Santa himself, bringing a little magic back into some jaded grown-up lives, while the script gently dilutes the syrup with dollops of acid humour. And hey, any movie that casts Usual Suspect Kevin Pollak as Cupid can't be all bad. Okay, NOW you can go on to the next review...

More info

Available platformsMovie
Less

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.