This is even more so a kids movie than the first one. That's not a bad thing, but as just about every review I've read for the movie here on IMDb has stated, it takes a back seat to the prior film. The story reunites Santa (Kurt Russell) with his young protagonist Kate Pierce (Darby Camp), but for some reason leaves her brother Teddy (Judah Lewis) on the sidelines for this adventure. Well, we know why the film makers did that but it just smacks of pushing an agenda. Fortunately, Kurt Russell is still in fine form as Santa Claus, with the movie delving a little into his back story starting out as St. Nicholas. I would have been disappointed if he didn't get an opportunity to sing in this one, although it would have taken a lot to top the "Christmas Time Pretty Baby" number from the first picture. "The Spirit of Christmas" tune didn't have the same punch here but on it's own was pretty good. This story had a villain by way of an elf who turned human when he broke the elves code hundreds of years ago. With the help of a wildcat named Jola and the scoundrel elf Speck, Belsnickel (Julian Dennison) wreaks some havoc before finally getting imbued with the Christmas spirit, courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Claus (Goldie Hawn). When it was all over, he got his wish and turned back into an elf again, but to my mind, that had to be a dubious honor.
