Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, a divorced businessman who has a strained relationship with this son, Charlie.

The movie starts with Scott spending Christmas with Charlie by burning a turkey and then having dinner at a Denny’s. In the night, Saint Nick shows up and falls off the roof, which sets in motion the transference rule where Scott assumes the role of the jolly old fat man. 

Charlie and Scott finish Santa’s route for that night and then the reality sinks in that Scott Calvin is the new Santa Claus. He gains weight, his hair turns white, and he grows a massive beard. Charlie is overjoyed by his dad being Santa, but Charlie’s psychiatrist step-dad Neil (Judge Reinhold) thinks Scott is completely insane and should lose visitation rights of Charlie.

Tim Allen is mostly a buffoon in everything he does, but he manages to convince the viewer he’s a dad who wants to do right by his son. The comedy isn’t overblown and there aren’t too many cringe-worthy moments. While I don’t consider this to be required Christmas viewing, it’s still enjoyable and usually ends up being watched every year when the classics are all exhausted.

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