It's a creative idea. What would life be like for the naughty older brother of St. Nick? Spending a lifetime in the shadow of one of the world's biggest pop culture icons would certainly be a lonely and bitter one. Unfortunately none of Vince Vaughn's (Wedding Crashers, Old School) typical ranting monologues and improvisational humor are able to save this season's Fred Claus, another addition to the holiday stinker's hall of fame.
Fans of Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Kathy Bates, Rachel Weisz, Kevin Spacey, and Ludicrous will be thoroughly disappointed. The laughs are nearly nonexistent, and the acting talents of this powerful cast are put to waste on a weak screenplay. Even Vaughn's improv humor, generally hilarious in his other well-known comedies, does not deliver. (A few of the lines were even word-for-word repeats of lines he's uttered in other films.) Ultimately there is not enough yuletide spirit to lift this movie out of the dumps. It will not appeal to younger siblings, college students or adults. The film billed as this season's newest holiday classic is a dud that will only keep Vaughn amused, as he laughs along with his $20 million dollar paycheck, all the way to the bank.
Fans of Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Kathy Bates, Rachel Weisz, Kevin Spacey, and Ludicrous will be thoroughly disappointed. The laughs are nearly nonexistent, and the acting talents of this powerful cast are put to waste on a weak screenplay. Even Vaughn's improv humor, generally hilarious in his other well-known comedies, does not deliver. (A few of the lines were even word-for-word repeats of lines he's uttered in other films.) Ultimately there is not enough yuletide spirit to lift this movie out of the dumps. It will not appeal to younger siblings, college students or adults. The film billed as this season's newest holiday classic is a dud that will only keep Vaughn amused, as he laughs along with his $20 million dollar paycheck, all the way to the bank.
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