This tries really hard and with some success, but it doesn't have the same levels of wit and charm of the first film. It may simply be that it's trying too hard. The pleasure of the first film was its humour and the hint of edginess that Tim Allen brought; the sequel sees, as so often happens, another victory for special effects and a bigger budget.
This is only a minor humbug, however. It's still great fun and passes a Christmas afternoon in a perfectly pleasant way. Elizabeth Mitchell is tremendous as Principal Newman and steals the show and Allen remains a top performer who connects with an audience in a way Robin Williams can only dream of. The son as a teenager has some value as a plot device but ends up being annoying rather than innovative and the rogue Santa idea bombs very badly. In fact, the plot lines get just too silly throughout. Keep it simple, it's Christmas.
Bottom line...fine Christmas fare but could do better.
This is only a minor humbug, however. It's still great fun and passes a Christmas afternoon in a perfectly pleasant way. Elizabeth Mitchell is tremendous as Principal Newman and steals the show and Allen remains a top performer who connects with an audience in a way Robin Williams can only dream of. The son as a teenager has some value as a plot device but ends up being annoying rather than innovative and the rogue Santa idea bombs very badly. In fact, the plot lines get just too silly throughout. Keep it simple, it's Christmas.
Bottom line...fine Christmas fare but could do better.