Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) User Reviews

It silly. It is harmless. It is fun. And it is underrated

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 24 November 2009]

Ernest Saves Christmas is a very underrated Christmas holiday flick. I will agree that it is very silly, and certainly not Oscar worthy. Don't expect a sophisticated plot, and a superlative script. Expect a harmless and fun Christmas comedy, that way you are in for a good time.

While very predictable in plotting and rather repetitive and slow in the middle half; especially in the first thirty minutes Ernest Saves Christmas does have its funny moments. And I must say the scene with the magic sleigh was uproariously funny. Amongst the humour, is an in general heart-warming story about Santa and his attempts to find a successor.

The camera-work may be a tad dated, but the music is very nice indeed. And I actually thought the acting is above decent, with the late (and talented) Jim Varney wonderfully spirited as Ernest and Douglas Seale is simply great as Santa. The opening credits with the collage of Christmas carols were a delight.

Ernest Saves Christmas is an above average seasonal comedy about the power of belief and the dignity of an individual. It is far from a masterpiece, but seriously I wasn't expecting it to be. I got exactly what I wanted, a fun film that while predictable and silly is lots of fun too. I do also think it is underrated; there are much worse movies out there, namely any of the Friedberg-Seltzer movies, Home Alone 4 and Superbabies:Baby Geniuses 2. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Earnest I am when I say this is an enjoyable, family flick for the holidays

[inkblot11 · 6/10 · 24 October 2007]

Ernest (Jim Varney) is a cab driver who runs the airport routes in a big city. One day, he crashes his taxi into the unloading area of the airport and must make a beeline out of the site. Seeing a white-bearded gentleman who needs a cab, he hustles the old guy into his clutches and speeds off. Although Ernest sings "O Christmas Tree" with only these three words, he's really a nice guy. But, when the bearded one tells Ernest that his name is Santa Claus, Ernest doesn't really believe him. He drops the old man off, however, at a retirement home, as requested. Picking up a Christmas tree that fell off a truck and a homeless young teenage girl with an attitude, Ernest makes his way over to Vern's house to decorate. But, wait. The old man left his red, very large duffle-type bag on board. As Ernest opens the bag, he gets a glimpse of the bag's magical powers. Could this really have been Santa? Trying to return the sack to Mr. Claus, Ernest learns, however, that the old man has been thrown in jail. Is it up to Ernest to make sure Santa can fly on his big day? This is a sweet and fun family film that borrows a bit from Miracle on 34th Street and other holiday flicks. There is only one Ernest, of course, and Varney provides much comedic mayhem with his unique character. Just watch him talk about "channel number 5 perfume" or a "failure to accumulate" and you will be laughing heartily. His expressions are priceless, too. The rest of the cast, although unknown, are fine as well. No one will find fault with the look of the film, either, as the costumes, sets, and production values are high. Perhaps you have heard that Varney's humor is sometimes of the gross-out nature and you would rather not share his films with your family. Please, do reconsider when it comes to this one. Its humor is infectious, not offensive, and its sweet tale will warm the hearts of its viewers. So, make a batch of mulled, spiced cider and buttered popcorn and put this one into the home theater machine in the very near future.

Ernest Saves Christmas

[Scarecrow-88 · 6/10 · 6 December 2019]

Probably the best Ernest film featuring Jim Varney, mainly because it wisely features the lovable doofus during the Christmas season, complete with a retiring Santa, reindeer that leap from floor to roof at the postal warehouse, two elves arriving at the airport and eventually to accompany Ernest on a world trip (and around the world!), the sleigh and its "air brakes", and an actor often associated with the role of Santa looking to expand on his career through the aid of his encouraging agent (to star in a monster movie with gratuitous violence and foul language!). Oh, and you can't forget the red sack with its magic powers to provide gifts to all kids, falling into the unfortunate possession of Ernest and a teen runaway, Harmony (Noelle Parker), who has lost her belief in Santa. Ernest pulling wacky novelties out of the bag, forgetting the names of reindeer when he is needing to get the sleigh to Santa at a particular museum, his disastrous transportation of trees at the beginning of the film, his oddball array of disguises (yes, the old lady in a cast is among them, as is my favorite, a snake-handler, including a slick-haired administrative employee for the Governor), the chaotic trip to Vern's house (he's quite the party pooper, delivering a tree that wreaks havoc and pulling a electrical wire right out of the wall), and his flexy-face expressions (he mimics John Wayne and often goes into deep voice when "getting serious"), along with "witticisms" (he gets in the "ewwww", does his eyebrow and chin back and forth while quoting such gems as "the end of mankind as we know it"), are included for the character's major fans (for which I was one as a kid). I do think the final fifteen or so minutes, when Ernest is in charge of the sleigh and reindeer as the elves accompany him, is the film at its funniest. Noelle has good chemistry with Varney as does Douglas Seale (who perfectly twinkles, has just the right amount of cheery cheeked appeal, and just enough belly, at just the right age for a Santa needing to pass on the job to a fresh candidate) as the Santa needing to locate Oliver Clark's Joe Carruthers, hoping to convince him that he's to be the next in line for the role of Old Saint Nick. Gailard Sartain (with his pingpong eyes) and Bill Byrge (with his bird-still visage) as the postal workers on Christmas Eve complement the film's overall cheesy nature. Robert Lesser, as the driven agent desperate to get Joe to take the monster film series (who even has Seale imprisoned!), and the ultra sweet Billie Bird (if there is a bit for twinkle-eyed scene stealing old ladies she was one of the top of her profession at that time) round out the cast. Bird and Seale are a delight together. Santa not giving up on Harmony or Joe, Ernest, despite his best intentions often resulting in mayhem, corralling the reindeer and sleigh by film's end, and Joe deciding that bringing cheer to children was worth more than profitability in a film career are highlights. I admit that a lot of the appeal of this film is Varney's various facial expressions and off-the-cuff (seemingly) improvised zingers...Varney is an acquired taste, so there will be many who just think he's too silly to even bother with. And the film can get downright nonsensical...this, in my opinion, will divide those who love it and those who will just find it obnoxious. Probably not a Christmas classic in the minds of anyone but us Ernest fans.

Fun, delightful, Christmas Movie

[sfriend1 · 20 May 2003]

If you wasn't to thrilled with Ernest Goes to Camp, write it off and give this one a shot. A good story involving Ernest helping Santa Clause find a replacement before Christmas Eve is fun, and delightful. Jim Varney again does a terrific job playing the dimwitted goofball. Entertaining from start to finish, this is the best of the Ernest series.

Rating: B

An Annual Christmas Tradition

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 29 November 2015]

Ernest helps Santa Claus as he searches for his successor.

I thought I had already written a review, but either I was mistaken or IMDb deleted it. Having seen this film five times in the last five years, it is surely one that sicks with me. Some -- myself included -- will say "Ernest Goes to Camp" is among the best in the series, as is "Ernest Scared Stupid". But only one, "Ernest Saves Christmas", has the appeal to make it one to see every December (or late November).

Perfect casting for Santa, some stupid humor. Some offbeat humor (the "Santa's Slay" but is awesome). A feel-good message. And what a breakthrough role for Noelle Parker, who went on to star as Amy Fisher and then have her own television series, "Sisters". I am surprised she not got any bigger than she is... would love to hear her on an audio commentary for this film.

Hey, Vern, Ernest save this movie from sucking.

[ironhorse_iv · 5/10 · 24 December 2012]

First off R.I.P Jim Varney. Jim Varney was the Charles Chaplin of the 1980's & early 1990's. Jim Varney's goofy alter ego, Ernest was famous for his trademark slapstick humor, countless Bugs Bunny type dress up egos, and dumb humor. Despite, Ernest being nearly stupid, Jim Varney, the actor was a high IQ man. Jim Varney was also a serious Shakespearian actor. He was phenomenal and much admired in the 'circle' of Shakespeare, on a par with Sir Lawrence Olivier.. He said he loved playing Ernest because it was (for him) the direct opposite of doing Shakespeare. Ernest first made his mark doing commericals for nearly everything, it was his work with Coca-Cola that allow the Christmas ad's in the opening of the film. It opens up with Santa Claus (Douglas Seale) arrived at the Orlando Airport. Douglas Seale has one of the sweetest voices, and it's works for being Santa Claus. Ernest P. Worrell works as a taxi driver, and picks him up. Santa Claus is on his way to get a local celebrity Joe Carruthers to be new Santa Claus due to Douglas thinking of retiring. While they are driving, a runaway teenage girl (Noelle Parker) calling herself Harmony Starr joins Ernest and Santa in the cab. Harmony is a horrible character, who lies non-stop on end. However on Christmas eve, her conscience prevails and she reforms her ways. Ernest drops him off to meet Joe, but Ernest discovers that Santa left his magic sack behind in the cab, and Ernest begins a quest to find the old man and return it to him. There is a number of cool scenes in the movie that show Jim Varney's work, one is the POV Vern's house which pays tribute to the original commercials that first introduced Ernest, the audience never sees Vern's face. The other is when Ernest poses as Astor Clementh, an employee of the governor and Harmony as the governor's niece Mindy, and the two help Santa escape from jail when Santa got himself locked up by Joe's boss. The other is when Ernest disguises himself as an Apopka snake rancher (Lloyd Worrell from Knowhutimean? Hey Vern, It's my Family Album) who sneaks Santa into a movie studio to find Joe again. There are also supporting cast from his TV show days, as Chuck and Bobby (Gailard Sartain & Bill Byrge) that serves as sub-plot as two airport workers trying to control Santa's reindeer. The movie has a strong Christmas theme and the humor will keep a range of ages entertained nonetheless. Ernest is funny without using sex. Ernest also use little violence and harsh language. Very heartwarming, and works for family events. The cut-backs of the film can be the over used of advertising in this movie and re-cuts of older commericals (good example: the pancake on parade), dodgy plot-points, and bad Christmas puns. Director John Cherry and Jim Varney made a good movie for such a low-budget and it's one of the last of the good Ernest movies. Yeah, the Ernest movies are pretty much the ultimate in guilty pleasure crapfests, but this brings out the Christmas spirit in all of us.

One with the Yuletide, if you know what he means...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 5 May 2017]

Imagine that, I only first saw "Ernest Saves Christmas" for the first time during the Christmas season of 2016. Yep, I know, way overdue. And it was only because it was part of a Christmas movie marathon with the family that I got around to watching this movie.

Now, I am vaguely familiar with the Ernest character (played by Jim Varney) from my childhood, as I remember watching some of the movies back then, though the only title that comes to mind is "Ernest Goes to Camp".

While "Ernest Saves Christmas" hardly is a Christmas Classic, it is still a funny and entertaining movie. Especially if you like the kind of slapstick comedy used there. And yes, there are a lot of funny situations, and I did laugh often and enjoyed the silliness of the movie, for sure.

Despite being funny, then "Ernest Saves Christmas" wasn't exactly the type of movie that stood out as being memorable. I think you might actually watch it more than once, but with years in between each viewing.

One of the good things is that you can sit down and watch "Ernest Saves Christmas" without having watched other movies in the franchise, as they work well as stand-alone movies.

"Ernest Saves Christmas" is a movie that can be enjoyed by virtually everyone in the family. And it is a fun enough movie to put on for some Christmas time comedy.

Great Start, But 'Santa' Dropped The Sleigh

[ccthemovieman-1 · 4/10 · 7 January 2007]

This movie started off great; the first 30 minutes are very funny and clever with some interesting characters. That's the good news. The bad news is that the film then gets too repetitive and then it gets downright stupid.

What we wind up getting is a Santa Claus with "magical" powers with a lot of New Age baloney thrown in the mix. It's just ridiculous and hardly the kind of "Christmas movie" I would expect from Jim Varney's "Ernest."

To be fair, it still had a decent amount of laughs and is profanity-free but just not a film I could recommend.

Jim Varney at his best!!!

[formula44xxx · 9/10 · 16 November 2001]

This, my personal favorite Ernest film, is arguably one of the funniest. And its holiday theme adds that extra something for a comedy franchise (like Christmas Vacation did for the National Lampoon films). Basic story has Ernest literally save Christmas, with predictable but sometimes hilarious results. If you ever thought Ernest's schtick was funny, you gotta see this. And if you wanna laugh for the holidays, you can do a lot worse than this.

Classic Ernest

[S_dot_M_dot · 6/10 · 17 December 2021]

In sunny Orlando, Florida, eccentric taxi driver Ernest P. Worell (Jim Varney) goes above and beyond to make his customers happy. When he picks up his latest fare, Ernest learns he is driving none other than Santa Claus (Douglas Seale). Santa is on a mission to convince Joe Carruthers (Oliver Clark) to take over the role of Santa, as the role of Santa gets passed down once the magic wears off. Ernest is now in a race against time to try and save Christmas with the help of Harmony (Noelle Parker), who stumbled into this sticky situation.

John R. Cherry III is in the director's chair, as he is for the Ernest series, to lead the team on a Christmas adventure. The film is fast-paced and in your face. The use of wide angle lenses as our actors, mainly Varney's Ernest, get up close and personal with the audience. The team even breaks the fourth wall as Ernest and Harmony treat the viewer as if they're Vern, Ernest's friend, whose identity is never revealed. This film even has some exciting car stunts to start the film off.

Varney proves to be a top character actor as he portrays not only Ernest, but other characters in his pursuit to save Santa. Speaking of Santa, Douglas Seale plays a Santa who is slowing down and becoming forgetful. This is a great decision by the writing team and the actor to sell the main plot point. Noelle Parker's Harmony has the largest character arc in the film, as she struggles with finally getting what she wants or doing the right thing. And the duo of Chuck and Bobby (Gailard Sartain and Bill Byrge) trying to contain a herd of reindeer is a nice touch to add to the laughs.

This film has its motivations, and they are juvenile. The entire cast and crew set out to create a certain type of film, and they succeed in doing so. The entire film plays out like an extended sketch comedy show. This can be off-putting for older audiences, especially those who are not familiar with the character of Ernest. It's all done with heart, even if it can be overbearing at times.

Ernest Saves Christmas fits into the series of Ernest films and is one of the better outings. A film to watch with the family, Ernest is here to put a smile on everyone's face. The plot line with Santa is an added bonus and a clever way to expand the Santa mythos.

Ernest Saves Ernest's Career

[MovieAddict2016 · 5/10 · 11 April 2003]

"Ernest Saves Christmas" is one of the films in the seemingly endless line of "Ernest" flicks with Jim Varney. I've had the (un)-pleasurable experience of sitting through "Ernest Goes to Camp," "Ernest Scared Stupid," "Ernest Saves Christmas," and perhaps some others that I don't remember. (There are about one hundred "Ernest" films, aren't there?)

In this film, Ernest has to save Santa Claus by delivering toys and searching for a successor (?). I haven't seen this film for about three years, so I'm a bit rusty on the plot.

One thing the "Ernest" films do have is a good sense of unrealistic playfulness. Its audience is children, and Jim Varney seems to play right to this. Varney (who passed away in 2001 due to a long fight with cancer) was a good comedian. He didn't spin crude gags. He seemed to stick to childrens' films ("Toy Story," "Atlantis"--his last film), and when he did try an adult film once it turned out to be one of the worst comedies ever. (It's called "Snow Academy"--no, it's not a sequel to "Police Academy.")

I actually found myself (despite the film being utterly ridiculous and stupid in any and every way) enjoying "Ernest Saves Christmas," because while it is a bit odd, it targets the jokes to its audience well, and I think adults can enjoy the films just because they are reminiscent of childhood.

Unfortunately, I just can't muster up enough to give this movie a high rating. Instead, I'll give it two and a half stars (average) and tell you that if you have kids, you should definitely get them to watch the "Ernest" films. If you don't, I'd recommend you stay away from the films. (Unless, that is, if you like childrens' films.)

2.5/5 stars -

John Ulmer

A Holiday Classic (Laugh All You Want)

[RiffRaffMcKinley · 10/10 · 9 December 2006]

Maybe "Ernest Saves Christmas" will never be one of the most well-respected holiday comedies ever made. Maybe it didn't win the Best Picture Academy Award. Maybe it isn't a four-star movie or even a very popular one, but it's still a Christmas must every year. Underneath the layers of "Hee-Haw"-level blue-collar humor so synonymous with Ernest is a Christmas movie with heart-- surprising for the classic character. In a funny way, it almost seems like a different take on "Miracle on 34th Street"-- the old man who knows he's Santa Claus and the cynical young girl who says it isn't so. "Ernest Saves Christmas" remains one of the ideal holiday comedies around, whether it was a serious movie or not.

They be PIEZUN,, PIEZUN snakes!! Lol

[reddiemurf81 · 7/10 · 18 December 2021]

Ernest P. Worrell helps Santa Claus find his successor in Florida.

Christmas classic from my childhood,, and it should be part of everyone's childhood. If you've never seen it,,,

Not a Christmas classic, but not the fiasco of others.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 23 December 2021]

Of all of the Ernest movies, this is by far the most well reviewed, and the dumb but sweet character played by Jim Varney is at his most poignant here. He plays a variety of other characters, of course Ernest in Disguise, as he helps an old man visiting from way up North who's passport identifies him as Santa Claus. There's also a troubled young girl (Noelle Parker) whom Ernest takes under his wing, that is it becomes clear that the old man (Douglas Seale) is indeed Santa, Varney and Parker go out of their way to help him find a TV entertainer (Oliver Clark) who is destined to take over when Seale retires.

So you learn something everyday, that there was a new Santa pretty much every hundred years, and Seale is delightfully sweet but tough. Clark works for a bunch of insensitive rating and profit obsessed cynics, but it's obvious that Clark has what it takes to be the next reindeer coach. You do indeed get reindeer who has the ability to walk on the ceiling, and that visual is very funny.

Actually, there are a lot of funny visuals, particularly when Santa arrives at the airport, has his passport checked, and is deemed to be a not among an airline terminal filled with holiday traveling nuts. There's a lot of magic in this childlike holiday comedy that adults that missed it can enjoy for a one-time viewing. Varney gets some very funny disguises, including one that looks amazingly like Jed Clampett, a role he would play later on, and another in drag. Lots to enjoy in this sentimental holiday comedy, definitely a cute stocking stuffer.

Must See

[goldenhawk40 · 27 December 2001]

This IS my favorite Christmas movie. It is funny, in a totally ridiculous, moronic, Ernest sort of way - it has all of his best schtick and then some. I really like the message, too - that Christmas is in the heart. Unlike some of the typical Christmas movies there is no major transformation where the mean man becomes the nice guy -the nice guy stays the nice guy and becomes even better. Suspend your need to see Citizen Kane and just watch it for the total silliness. You will enjoy it.

The Best of the Ernest series

[Agent10 · 7/10 · 22 May 2002]

This was easily the best of the series, especially since the film makers had some money to work with. The technical side of this film was also much better than Ernest Goes to Camp, with better editing and a more complicated production design. However, the great thing that seemed to be missing in this film was the fact Ernest's stint at camp was never mentioned, or mentioned in any of the movies. But then again, why should anyone ponder such questions in regards to this film series.

best ernest film.

[movieman-1408 · 3/10 · 12 December 2021]

Watch it every christmas saw it at drive in back in 88 ernest at his best lots of laughs if you have nver seen an ernest movie i say start with this one. Santa the elves and chuck n bobby funny too my fav part has to be when hrd driving the sleigh. My fav ernest film has a good story to it. Watch it every christmas its a classic no what i mean?

He Saved a Lot More than That

[thesar-2 · 7/10 · 28 December 2013]

Ahhh, Christmas 2013. I had to revisit a childhood favorite of mine: Ernest Saves Christmas. I haven't seen this for over twenty years and remember loving and re-watching it so many times back in the late 80s.

You know (Vern,) watching these Ernest movies as an adult, it's not quite the same effect as viewing them through the eyes of a child. Recently, I've been revisiting three of the four I loved (or liked) as a child: Ernest Goes to Camp, Ernest Saves Christmas and Ernest Scared Stupid. (I have yet to re-watch Ernest Goes to Jail, and I will soon. I do have that on BluRay now, and that was my personal favorite as a child with this holiday special as #2.) And, boy, I can see how I liked them in my youth, and they do have some absolute humor that translates to adults, but they are over-the-top silly at times.

That said, there's a purity to them. Ernest, er, the late and great Jim Varney, has such a heart and kept everything in his act and movies clean. I like that. In fact, I'm surprised these movies are rated as high as PG. Honestly, there's nothing, and rightfully so, in them that should offend anyone. Thank you, Mr. Varney.

Here, in Ernest Saves Christmas, Ernest, the G-Rated, but somewhat unsafe, taxi driver gets mixed up with the real Santa Claus as he's on a mission to pass the torch onto a new Santa as the "magic is up."

Naturally, things are a lot more complicated as they appear and Ernest screws up a lot, but in the end, there's the heart and soul of Ernest P. Worrell who brings it all together.

While not perfect, you gotta admire it for its simplicity in a complicated film. One can criticize Varney's odd facial expressions and zoom-ins or even dislike them. But, he had a heart and he set out to make a (what I think should be a G-Rated) special Christmas movie. Mission: Accomplished.

* * * Final thoughts: Don't get me wrong. This movie is way silly. And I had to endure a few too many "made-for-younger-crowds" scenes, like eyes darting back and forth as a gag. It's okay to get past that when you know the core audience. I wish these movies, the Ernest series, would come back for the next generation so they can appreciate more family-friendly, (should be!) G-rated fare.

dumb but watchable--especially for the kids

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 19 December 2005]

I am NOT an Ernest fan, so my review should be seen in that light. I have only completely watched 2 of these films (this one and Ernest Goes to Jail) and could not make myself sit through several others that were simply unwatchable for most adults. What made the 2 I actually did finish watching different is that they were mildly entertaining fluff that wouldn't irritate adult viewers and actually had some funny bits (Ernest Goes to Camp and all the other films I TRIED watching would most certainly irritate most adults). It has some cute moments and I can certainly think of many worse holiday films. It's about the same quality level as the Santa Clause movies. So, if your kids want to watch this, give it a chance. Yes, the humor is rather sophomoric at times but it's not a bad flick.

Maybe I'm biased...

[mashkablue-04608 · 8/10 · 16 December 2019]

I grew up watching "Earnest Saves Christmas," so I may be biased in saying that it is an underrated Christmas classic. It's cute, sometimes cheesy, very slapstick-y, but it's absolutely endearing as a family film!

Jim Varney was always better than his material

[mike48128 · 6/10 · 20 December 2016]

The best role that Jim Varney ever had was as Jed Clampett in the "Beverly Hillbillies" movie. A great acting talent that was sadly wasted and underutilized in a long series of Disney "B" films. A mixed bag-of-a-film from the Disney "Touchstone" logo. It starts out with a cruel edge as cab driver Ernest rushes an obnoxious passenger to the airport in a big Yellow Cab. The passenger wears no seat belt and is bounced around the back seat. He (apparently) dies or ends up in a catatonic state and Ernest dumps him into the baggage chute along with his ripped-up luggage. Right up there with the terrible start of "The Santa Clause" when Santa falls off the roof. It's just not that funny. The other part of the film than stinks is when "Joe", the ex-kiddie show host, makes a horror film called "Santa Slay" which is beyond dreadful. with a very tacky green alien. The part that works is the Johnathan Winters-like warehouse man who doesn't know how to deal with 8 flying reindeer and Santa's Elves. Good and bad acting abounds. "Santa" acts and looks quite genuine and sincere. The teenybopper runaway practically falls out of her peekaboo tank-top shirt. Sure she's cute, but distracting. A simple plot, as old Santa attempts to pass-the-torch to a new "Santa". The last third of the movie finally redeems itself with wonderful Disney Magic as Ernest truly does save Christmas with Santa's runaway sleigh and 8 hyper-active reindeer. Filmed in Orlando, Florida and much of the film looks very cheaply made. Not the worst Christmas film that I have ever seen but it may be in the running.

What

[CountGrishnakh · 1/10 · 5 December 2021]

Impossible to understand what's going on from the very start.

What the heck is this movie?

Exclusively features close up shots of characters faces and random cuts to incoherent slapstick.

Why is Earnest wet all the time?

Underrated Christmas comedy

[BlueSkies765 · 10/10 · 25 August 2019]

I remember Ernest Saves Christmas coming on television every year around Christmas time. I've watched it for like 10 times and it never disappoints. It's one of my favorite Christmas movies. Jim Varney's Ernest character is one of the most underrated comedy characters. For comedians it's hard to play over the top characters without the risk of losing the audience because the character comes off as phony and acted, not genuine. It's not the case here from the hilarious movements, expressions and his persona, Ernest and Jim Varney's other personas are hilarious.

All the other actors also had great memorable performances and were equally charming. Tied it in with a feel good Christmas story that gives it a special, inspiring feel this movie ranks as one of my favorite Christmas movies.

Ernest Saves Christmas

[Toronto85 · 7/10 · 18 December 2012]

Ernest Saves Christmas is a good natured and fun holiday movie about Ernest P. Worell helping an aging Santa Claus to find his successor before it's too late. Santa Claus is getting older and is forgetting such important things like who's naughty, and who's nice, and who asked a toy truck, etc. These of course are very important things for Santa to have stored in his memory. So in order to keep Christmas going at a rapid pace, Santa sets his sights on Joe Carruthers (a children's ) to take over the very important job. Problem is that Joe is so busy with his acting career that each time Santa tries to tell him about the gig, he either leaves in a rush thanks to his money hungry agent, or doesn't believe that what Santa is saying is real. That's where Ernest and a runaway teenage girl named Harmony come into play. They go on a journey with Santa to make Joe the new Santa Claus thereby saving Christmas.

I really enjoyed this Ernest film. It isn't as dumb and pointless as some of the other Ernest films done before and after, it has a really nice message and is a heart warming Christmas movie. Jim Varney does his usual Ernest part to perfection and I really liked the dynamic between him, Noelle Parker (Harmony) and Douglas Seale (Santa Claus). You can see that they really believe in Santa eventually and come to care about him and saving Christmas. There are some laughs in this as well, I always loved when Ernest would dress up as the old woman with the wig and neck brace. Pretty solid comedic moments in this one for sure

I highly recommend anyone looking for a good Christmas movie to see 'Ernest Saves Christmas'. Douglas Seale may be the most realistic Santa Claus I've seen in more recent Christmas movies. He has a classic look to him in this film that I love, it adds to the story wonderfully. It isn't the huge belly/bright white beard look, it's a more old styled Santa Claus character which was refreshing to see. Check it out!

7/10

Not much here.

[dave13-1 · 3/10 · 10 February 2012]

The opening of this movie is quite clever. Two airline passengers, one of whom is quite obviously Santa Claus, a fact of which the other man is totally unaware, are discussing business logistics related to the upcoming Xmas crunch. Priceless!

Unfortunately, then Jim Varney as Ernest shows up to wreck everything. The plot is familiar to anybody who watched the Flintstones Xmas episode (which is everybody in the free world as far as I know) - Santa can't make his deliveries on Xmas eve and some unqualified idiot has to pitch in. Ernest does this here, and the results leave everything to be desired in the way of story originality and comic staging and timing. The slapstick is the whole point of the exercise and here it is very sloppy and unconvincing. Whoever saw Varney as a physical comedian needs an eye exam. He just can't do the job very well. And if this movie fails as slapstick it fails period, since there is not much else here to watch. Avoid.