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List Price: $17.97 | | Label: Warner Home Video
Salesrank: 1222
Released: November 25, 2008 |
| Our Price: Too low to display |
| Used Price: $1.88 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Genre: Christmas
Rating: PG
Release Date: 25-NOV-2008
Media Type: DVD
Description of Fred Claus:
Vince Vaughn is enormously enjoyable as the titular Fred Claus, disgruntled older brother of the better-known St. Nicholas himself, i.e., the North Pole’s very own Santa (Paul Giamatti). A garrulous hustler running from the emotional fallout of the ultimate sibling rivalry, poor Fred keeps trying to find happiness through one failed scheme after another, pushing away the people who care about him most. When brother Santa puts the squeeze on him to help out in the toy factory atop the world, Fred turns the place into one big, raucous party. Unfortunately, he’s unaware that Santa and Mrs. Claus (Miranda Richardson) are under tight scrutiny from an oversight committee (represented by a calculating Kevin Spacey) and could be shut down. The film, directed by David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers), gleams and twinkles the way a holiday movie should, and has plenty of fun material for youngsters, including a wacky chase scene in which Fred goes on the run from a half-dozen, angry Salvation Army Santas. But Fred Claus is also supposed to appeal to hip adults with a taste for ironic farce, and on that score the movie feels like a succession of Saturday Night Live skits more than an organic whole. Still, Vaughn holds everything together with a smart, insightful performance that looks deep into his character’s torment--with more than a few laughs. --Tom Keogh
Fred Claus Reviews:
Underrated 
2009-12-14 - I'd actuallly give this movie 3 1/2 stars. It's not a classic, but I like it and think there are a number of things that work. It's well cast and well acted--Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Kevin Spacey, John Michael Higgins, Kathy Bates, et. al. It has a modern sensibility and turns dark (and slows down) in the middle, but resolves nicely in a touching finale with a good (and surprisingly realistic) message. I think the special effects--especially on a small screen--look good. The story stretches credulity but it's a fairytale, after all. Don't get hung up on it. Directed by same guy that directed "Wedding Crashers," and he knows comedy. I think it's certainly as good as "Christmas Vacation" which has become a Christmas staple.
Touching 
2009-12-12 - I read another review talking about how this movie was moving, maybe because of their chlidhood. I too felt the same. Maybe I also had a pathetic childhood, but I loved the concept of this. There are not naughty children, just children who are misunderstood or haven't been given the best circumstances in life. If you are looking for a good message and fun humor this is a great find!
Not 16:9 aspect - Black bars top and bottom/ 2:4:1 
2009-12-02 - Unlike some of the other reviewers, I enjoyed this movie enough to buy it in Blu-Ray, but I am not happy that I spent the extra money to get a Blu-Ray movie advertised as 16:9 that actually only plays on my HD TV/Sony Blu-Ray with black bars top and bottom. I thought perhaps there would be a video setting I could change, but not matter what is changed on the player, it is the same black bar top and bottom. This is the last time I buy a Blu-Ray movie from Amazon because I will have no way to tell what aspect I am getting. I will stay with the cheaper DVD widescreen format that actually fills the screen.
Fred Claus/Fountainhead review
2009-12-02 - Thank you. I am very happy and satisfied with my movies Fred Claus.
Received promptly in great condition. Thanks again.
More of Elizabeth Banks please...
2009-11-30 - A wonderful feel-good Christmas movie, Fred Clause, brings to the screen the story of Santa Clause's older brother whose life took a turn toward naughtiness following the birth of the sibling who the world will refer to as St. Nicholas.
Fred Clause is a film about Christmas, human relations, hope and second chances as well as trust, love, and inner strength.
Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Kevin Spacey, Elizabeth Banks (who is GORGEOUS!) and the rest of the cast, have done an excellent job with their performances, though Rachel Weisz seems out of place in this movie, i.e. an Englishwoman handing out traffic violation tickets in Chicago is rather unlikely. Nevertheless, the setting, the plot, the dialogues, the humor, and the music are all very good!
Though not a masterpiece, Fred Clause is a movie definitely worth watching as it will surely provide for an evening's entertainment!
