Ouch! The early buzz claimed that Fred Claus was a top-talent failure, but that was so long ago. I had hoped a few edits would have corrected whatever faults Fred had, but I guess not.
Fred Claus Gets Bashing Reviews
While our review is coming later, I can point out some official reviews for Fred Claus that have already made their way online. Well, at least they will lower any expectations you have left.
Variety
The burden of having a famous sibling seems fraught with comedic possibilities, but whatever potential existed has been squandered and then some in Fred Claus, dumping coal into everyone’s holiday stocking. Although promoted as a comedy, this reunion of Wedding Crashers star Vince Vaughn and director David Dobkin alternates between unpleasantness and Hallmark-sweet sappiness, with the only clever (if predictable) sequence occurring well into the second hour. Disney enjoyed considerable success with “The Santa Clause” years ago, but solid early returns within that niche should evaporate once word of mouth earmarks this Warner Bros. release for the “naughty” bin.
Hollywood Reporter
With Santa Claus movies like Fred Claus, who needs Ebenezer Scrooge?
Even more confounding than this mirthless, misanthropic mess is the involvement of such talented people as Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Miranda Richardson, Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates and Kevin Spacey. Holiday films invariably perform well opening week, and the reunion of Vaughn with his Wedding Crashers director, David Dobkin, should give Warner Bros. a momentary holiday lift. It might not last long, though. One additional problem: Family films should not clock in at 115 minutes.
Check out both reviews for Fred Claus by clicking on the bold links above.
Fred Claus opens to theaters on November 9th.
For the trailers, posters and additional movie info, go to the Fred Claus Movie Page.
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