SANTA’S IN TOWN EARLY THIS YEAR. 

On Christmas Eve, two warring siblings (Judah Lewis, Darby Camp) happen to catch Santa Claus (Kurt Russell) on tape – and are whisked off on an adventure with him.

You can tell Russell is having fun as Santa here, always sensitive about his weight, always cracking one-liners; he even gets to put on an Elvis-style rock show in prison, singing with Steven Van Zandt on guitar.

The story has its expected schmaltz, as well as CGI elves that look like mogwais and an effects-laden climax where gifts are delivered all over the nation. OK fare for kids.

2018-U.S. VOD. 104 min. Color. Directed by Clay Kaytis. Cast: Kurt Russell (Santa Claus), Judah Lewis (Teddy Pierce), Darby Camp (Kate Pierce), Oliver Hudson, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Lamorne Morris… Steven Van Zandt. Cameo: Goldie Hawn. 

Trivia: Co-produced by Chris Columbus. Followed by The Christmas Chronicles Part Two (2020).