Becoming Santa

Even comparing this to the admittedly low bar set by other Christmas movies, this is just awful. A weak plot, poor acting (with the exception of Meredith Baxter Birney), and terrible effects. For example, when they're sitting on the roof in the snow, the snow bounces- because it's obviously cotton batting. And the shooting star flying through the sky? I could throw a flashlight and make a more convincing magic star.

My husband and I decided that Jesse Hutch looks like the love child of Seth McFarland and Christopher Knight. Laura Bell Bundy? I just kept waiting for her to yell "Boats! Boats! Boats!". I do have to say the Clauses did have a lovely ski lodge house.

This was just painful. Though i should rate this a 1 or 2, I'm giving it a 3, because it's Christmas and I'm feeling generous.

It was not easy telling whether 2015's 'Becoming Santa' was going to be good or whether it was going to be bad when first hearing of it, reading the plot synopsis and seeing the advertising. Saw it anyway because Michael Gross is always watchable, despite being in his fair share of misfires but almost always one of the better aspects of. It did sound slightly interesting though would never get any prizes for uniqueness. Love a lot of Christmas films too.

'Becoming Santa' sadly is not one of those "loved it" Christmas films. Actually didn't think it was a good film at all and that it was worse than it sounded. Unfortunately too even Gross can't save it and it was a rare case of him being a flaw. Am not saying any of this with pleasure, was really prepared to at least moderately like it as there are plenty of films out there that are a lot better than they sound on paper. 'Becoming Santa' isn't one of them.

Not an unwatchable film by all means. The scenery is lovely and quite picturesque at its best and slickly photographed. The lodge is indeed great looking. The music had an affectionate festive atmosphere and had me smiling and humming along, as good music should do, even if it was intrusive at times. The film starts off quite charmingly.

Laura Bell Bundy brings a lot of charm to the lead role and plays the one character worth rooting for. Gabe Khouth is amusing at times.

The rest of the cast don't work. That is including Gross, who uncharacteristically phones in and his performance comes over as unintentionally weird. Meredith Baxter tries too hard and Jesse Hutch not enough in a personality-free role. Worst of all is Tony Cavalero as a truly annoying and hateful character that has so few if any positive traits that one questions what people see in him. The chemistry between the actors doesn't always connect, that between Bundy and Hutch never develops, and almost all the characters are thoroughly unpleasant (especially Jack) or lack personality. Only Bundy has any degree of charm.

Furthermore, the script is excessively cheesy and over-sentimental and is very stilted. The story starts off decently, but is paper thin, very dull and with so many Christmas film cliches and a done to death formula there is absolutely no freshness. To me it lacked charm and heart, doesn't have that much of a warm centre and is quite bland and contrived. Also very predictable and too pat, nothing rings true.

Overall, mediocre. 4/10.

Things go downhill when Holly and Connor travel to the north pole. Some of the casting and acting was better than my '2' rating, Uncle Mario in particular was a pleasant relief from what was otherwise a horrible production. My least favorite character was Jack, but it wasn't necessarily his acting. Rather, it was everything else about him ... casting, plot, writing, directing. (Why was he always in "their" home?) Casting for Santa (A.K.A. Nick) was particularly bad, as was Nick's fake beard. Santa and Mrs. Claus' acting was pathetic, although that is probably more the fault of the director rather than the actors. The only reason I wasted two hours watching the whole thing, was so that I could submit a review. I almost forgot to mention that both of the scenes at Connor's workplace were also pathetic.

Hey some one know have a second movie of becoming santa in french or somthing

This film is just really silly, but I persevered all the way to the end, because I have to support my husband Jesse Hutch.

I could cope with the ridiculous Father Christmas, who was quite obviously wearing a muscle suit under his costume, instead of a fat suit for some reason? I could also cope with the funny little man playing Mario the Elf. I could almost even cope with the tosspot that ran the toy company, but Jack Frost was just so vile he made my skin crawl and I don't think it was just his acting!

It's a good story, but I'd like to see a more serious version. However it was better that the producers of this film decided to go fully silly instead of the odd mix you can sometimes get.

Also, there's no way kids would rave about a wooden dog with wheels!