Film review: Santa Clause 3: The Great Escape

Release date

24 November (cert U)

The stars

Cheesy 80s American sitcom actor Tim Allen as Santa; 13-year-old Spencer Breslin as chief elf Curtis.

The plot

Santa is busy in the North Pole helping his elves churn out enough Christmas presents for 2.5 billion children.

But his devious enemy Jack Frost is fed up not getting any of the Christmas glory. He concocts a cunning plan to kick out Santa and start wearing the famous red coat himself.

Jack Frost turns Christmas into something far less nice. Can Santa find a way to get Christmas back?

Best bits

The farting reindeer.

Santa burning his bum.

When a girl tells Jack Frost to "chill", and he says: "Chill?!? I invented the word!"

It's got a "Christmas feel" - but it's not too slushy and gooey.

And stay for the end credits - there's an Avril Lavigne-type song called Greatest Time Of Year by Aly and AJ which we loved!

Fave characters

Jack Frost is brilliant as a mean, nasty, blue-haired demon. Think your worst maths teacher and times by 20.

Thirteen-year-old Spencer, as Curtis ain't too bad. Most of the elves, all played by children, do really well.

Any weak bits?

The North Pole looks beautiful but isn't quite magical or out-of-this-world enough. You want a bit more CGI and toy factories going on for miles and miles.

And the elves are all making old-fashioned wooden toys as presents. When Jack Frost takes over and makes the North Pole into a theme park selling hi-tech plastic toys, you are meant to think it's bad - but it kind of looks a lot better!

Hit or miss?

Hit - only just. If your granny says she'll take you to the cinema, don't say no.

NR rating:

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Your comments

I think it's quite cheesy. Some of the jokey-twists were good though.

Lorcan, 10, London

It was brilliant and had a great story line.

Eleanor, 11, Ireland

I think it was brilliant! It is probably one of my favourites!

Cariss, 8, Southport

Not as good as Santa Clause 2 but loads better than Santa Clause 1.

Emma, 10, Newton Aycliffe

It was great, but not as good as the first one.

Jasmine, 13, Essex

It's really cool. Not as good as the others but I still think it's great!

Lily, 10, Kent

It missed the magic of the first and second films, it was a total waste of money.

Sophie, 8, London

I thought that two of those films were more than enough, never mind three! It's okay for much younger kids, but got a bit samey and boring to tell the truth. Didn't really like it.

Catherine, 13, London

I saw it today with my friend and thought it'd be rubbish but I found it quite good actually!

Katy, 13, Edinburgh

It's got some surprises and it's a cool movie but there are some bits which are boring.

Katie, 11, USA

It had some funny bits but I think they're pushing a bit too hard to make a third film.

Becky, 12, Oswestry

It is not as good as the first one but beats the second.

James, 10, London