If you (like me) need a little reminder of the franchise so far, the first film follows Scott Calvin as he grapples with his new role as Santa Claus after he accidentally startled the former one off his roof. The second film introduces 'the Mrs Clause' which requires Scott to find a wife quickly, ending up marrying headteacher Carol from his son Charlie's school. The third film introduces Jack Frost who takes over the North Pole and the role as Santa using 'the Escape Clause'. It's not really a surprise then that they introduced another clause to create the plot of this mini-series - the 'Secessus Clause' - which allows a dissatisfied Scott to retire as Santa.
A revival of 'The Santa Clause' franchise was an unexpected one but I'm finding that it works well as a miniseries
The audience is quickly reacquainted with the Claus family we met previously - Scott, Carol and Buddy, who was the baby at the end of the third film and whose name is likely a reference to Elf (2003). A younger daughter Sandra (clearly a feminine spin on Santa) is also introduced, played by Tim Allen's real-life daughter. But where is Charlie, Scott's first son? Fear not, we reunite with a grown-up Charlie in the second episode who has a family of his own and, much to Scott's disappointment, does not want the role of Santa to become a family business.
The Claus family storyline is intercut with wannabe tech mogul Simon Chowski and his daughter Grace, drawing parallels from Scott and Charlie in the original film. It comes to no surprise then when Simon is lined up to be the Santa. However, as we only have two episodes remaining and lack a Jack Frost or Toy Santa type of antagonist, I think it's clear that Simon's misguided Jeff Bezos like ambitions make him an accidental antagonist who will most likely be redeemed through his love for his daughter.
It's great that it introduces the franchise to a new younger generation and is the perfect family watch for the holiday season.
A major issue facing the franchise is the child actors playing the immortal elves inevitably growing up. The series therefore has to bring in a new generation of elves and make them as memorable as Bernard, the Head Elf from the first two films and who is confirmed to be returning in the series by his actor David Krumholtz. We are introduced to Noel, Santa's self-appointed best friend, and his wife Betty, the new Head Elf. For me, both Noel and Betty have been fleshed out enough with backstory in personality in such a brief time that I feel like I will remember them.
A revival of 'The Santa Clause' franchise was an unexpected one but I'm finding that it works well as a miniseries. It's great that it introduces the franchise to a new younger generation and is the perfect family watch for the holiday season. I look forward to seeing the final two episodes, and who the mysterious figure at the end of episode four is (totally Bernard).
The Santa Clauses is available on streaming on Disney Plus.