Reviewed by Johnny McNair

 

Warner Home Video – 115 mins – 2007 – Rated PG – 1080p Widescreen 2.40: 1 – Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio – Digital Copy

 

 

Everybody knows the story of the big jolly guy with the fluffy white beard and the bright red suit, a.k.a. St. Nick, but did you know that he had an older brother who has stood in his shadow for years and doesn’t get the same praise or love? Fred Claus released on Blu-ray from Warner Home Entertainment, tells the story of this sibling rivalry that has gone on for ages, but this time may end up ending Christmas forever.

 

THE MOVIE

 

Many, many years ago in the North Pole a baby was born to Mr. & Mrs. Clause, known as the fattest baby ever seen. They named him Nicolas, and immediately he begins to show them he is different and destined for greatness. Nicolas’ older brother Fred is not happy with his fat sibling’s accomplishments and after a long a difficult childhood he leaves the North Pole to live as an average Joe with the city folks. Nicolas (Paul Giamatti) becomes the greatest gift giver and hero of children everywhere, Santa Clause, and Fred (Vince Vaughn), becomes a bum who can’t hold a job or keep his girlfriend Wanda (Rachel Weisz), satisfied enough to stay with him.

 

Trying to scheme some cash from his brother, Fred travels to the North Pole to see his family, but discovers that an efficiency expert (Kevin Spacey), is planning to shut down Santa’s operation, using him as a pawn to end Christmas forever. Can Fred finally do something right for once in his life and help his brother Nick save every child’s favorite day? Or will he screw up once again like always?

 

Fred Clause is not perfect and will not become a Christmas classic, but the underdog element work thanks to the chemistry between Vaughn and Giamatti. The supporting cast that includes Kevin Spacey, Rachel Weisz, John Michael Higgins, Kathy Bates, Miranda Richardson, Elizabeth Banks and a miniature version of rapper Ludacris fit nicely together. And one of the highlights of the film features a sibling rivalry help group whose members include Frank Stallone (brother of Sylvester), Stephen Baldwin (brother of Alec), and Roger Clinton (brother of our former President).

 

Produced by the man behind The Matrix, Joel Silver, Fred Clause does all it can to offer a big Christmas adventure, and on that end it succeeds. It’s clean family fun, and while there are better Holiday movies, Fred Clause is worth viewing, because you’re bound to find a laugh or two whether it be intentional or not. Give it a try.

 

VIDEO

 

Presented in full 1080p in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, Fred Clause looks acceptable, but not spectacular. The colors are bright showing off the big sets such as Santa’s warehouse, but overall the picture looks flat. The visual effects are also on the sloppy side, making Santa’s reindeer driven sleigh look silly. There’s also heavy grain, making you wonder why a film that is only a year old didn’t get the care it deserves for Blu-ray.

 

AUDIO

 

Fred Clause offers a Dolby Digital sound mix that sounds fine, but doesn’t offer all the bells and whistles we’ve becomes used to with recent Blu-ray releases. Dialogue at times seems to blend into the background. There’s nothing that particularly stands out and sings, but it gets the job done.

 

EXTRAS

 

There are actually three disc packed inside of Fred Clause’s package, one being the actual Blu-ray movie, and the other two are a Digital Copy and a DVD game.

 

Director David Dobkin tells all the behind the scenes tales via an audio commentary track.

 

Vince and Paul’s Fireside Chats feature the stars of the film interviewing each other.

 

There are over twenty-five minutes of deleted scenes.

 

Elves Tell All shows Santa’s helpers telling the truth about what goes on in the North Pole.

 

Sibling Rivalry is more from the brothers of famous celebrities telling their sides of the story of living in the shadows.

 

There’s an exclusive bonus disc featuring a silly DVD game called Race to Save Christmas.

 

Finally there’s a Digital Copy of the movie to take along when you’re on the go.

 

BOTTOM LINE

 

Fred Clause is a nice twist on the tale of Santa Clause, and is entertaining in various sections. The Blu-ray itself offers decent image and sound, but there is room for improvement. The bonus features are packed, so you get a lot for your dough. It’s not Miracle on 34^th Street, but Fred Clause can be fun.

 

SCORES (out of 5):

 

The Movie: 3.0

Video: 3.0

Sound: 3.0

Extras: 3.5

Bottom Line: 3.0