Mr. St. Nick (2002 TV Movie) User Reviews

Routine silliness, but fun anyway

[MartianOctocretr5 · 5/10 · 30 December 2009]

Another redo to St. Nick. Now there's a new Father Christmas every century. No, really. And as the 20th Century makes way for the 21st, the outgoing Santa XX prepares to turn the toy making/delivery business to his son, Santa XXI. No, really. Like many other movies about Santa's family, the heir doesn't want the job for some reason.

Santa Jr. (or 21st) prefers to dance the Conga in Miami Beach, and chase girls. He's a millionaire, and finds a girl to get hitched with that his parents immediately recognize is a gold digger. Bet you didn't expect that to happen. There's also a cute but feisty new cook working for him. "The magic of Santa" starts to transfer to the new St. Nick, setting up more silliness. Pretty routine stuff, headed exactly where you expect it to go. Not really for smaller kids; some of this will confuse them. But has its moments for Mom and Dad if they're looking for a harmless comedy. The cast is pleasant and make things fun; the story is innocent and good natured. A good movie for a stay in night.

Miscasting Sinks this Christmas

[Christmas-Reviewer · 6/10 · 1 May 2017]

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.

In this film Santa Claus (Charles Durning) wants to pass the torch to his reluctant son (Kelsey Grammar) who would rather stay in Miami and enjoy the nightlife.

Kelsey Grammar is miscast. He still seems to be channeling Frasier. He is also 20-25 years too old for the part. Had this been play by a younger actor the film would of been better. Kelsey doesn't come across as sincere. He seems to be "going through the motions" but he gives his "Santa" know soul and zero depth.

The actors that do the most with very little are Ana Ortiz and Lupe Ontiveros.

This film is family safe but in reality kids will hate this more than adults. The same story should be re-worked and cast appropriately. Charles Durning and Katherine Hepburn are wonderful.

SANTA SLEPT WITH WOMEN OUT OF WEDLOCK?

[nogodnomasters · 4/10 · 10 May 2018]

This movie answers the question, "What happens to Santa when he gets old?" Apparently every Santa has had a wife and one male child who takes over the business every 100 years. As a kid, my question was, "Our chimney goes to the furnace. How does that work for Santa?" By the time I was 6 mom had a fleet of Santas all with their own helicopter coming through doors.

Kelsey Grammar plays son of Santa who is supposed to take over the job, but he would rather spend his time in Miami going to parties chasing the long legged blond weather girl, who spends the night at his house. We see the two of them the next morning kissing in the kitchen, with blondie wearing his shirt top. Not exactly the "family value" I would want to share with kids.

The immigration officer was very rude and downright anal. Charles Durning made an excellent Santa, and his wife Katherine Helmond turns Mrs. Claus into Jessica from "Soap." There are long dialogue scenes that would bore younger children. I am not sure what age or maturity level would enjoy this film, certainly not mine.

Ugh

[BigGuy · 3/10 · 23 December 2002]

I normally wouldn't bother writing a review for a made for TV movie, but I got stuck watching while at home for Christmas. Christmas movies are supposed to be kind of cliched, they have to be because Christmas has become a cliche to most people. This movie took that idea and ran with it.

First you have the reluctant Santa Claus, which has only been done a few dozen times in recent years. Then there is the rich man falling in love with the hired help, coupled into man being engaged to one woman only to realize it was a mistake and that he is really in love with girl-come-lately. Then add some cookie-cutter characters, like the proper butler giving sage advice. Or how about that the hired help has a mystery son. I say mystery son because it is never explained if the son is from a bad marriage, out-of marriage, widowed, etc. At least I don't remember it being explained. I won't even go into the goofy cop, the swindling best friend, incredibly sappy happy ending, etc.

I think there are people in the world who would relish a movie like this, but if cliches, and telegraphed plot twists turn your stomach, then avoid this movie.

A Good Seasonal Film for the Family!

[Sylviastel · 23 July 2011]

Kelsey Grammar plays Nicholas 21 which means that he's in line for the throne of Santa Claus. His father Nicholas 20 (played by Charles Durning) is losing his jollies and his powers that made him Santa Claus. For him, it's a job that he loves with a passion. For Junior, he's postponed taking over for years. Finally, the time has come for him to take his father's place in the family business. Katherine Helmond is fantastic as the mother and wife, Queen Carlotta. Brian Bedford plays, Jasper, who is Nick Jr.'s confidante and knows all about the family secrets. Anyway, Nick 21 must fine Mrs. Claus but he gets caught up with a blonde weather girl who is really shallow and vain. Of course, this film is meant to be about Christmas, sharing, generosity, and miracles. It's not the best film but it's decent enough for the family and for kids.

Only good thing about this turkey is Kelsey.

[wowgamerlife22 · 2/10 · 22 November 2009]

The movie was too fast paced,not much in the way of a plot that hasn't been done before & the actors could not act to save their lives for an exception of Kelsey & even he couldn't save this picture. It is so cliché it isn't even funny. The dialogue is also not that great nor is it into going into things explaining things for an exception of a few secs here or there. I wouldn't even recommend it. kelsey can & will do much better.

I wasn't expecting a block buster here but come on some crappy low budget film could at least try harder. The effects were so overly cheap its not funny.

Kelsey puts a nice spin on this story

[edhuds0n · 7/10 · 5 December 2007]

At first I thought this would be a Santa Clause rip-off, but after seeing it, I would recommend it to anyone.

Despite the plot similarities, this movie stood on its own merits. The casting was perfectly done, and the actors did very well in their roles. Charles Durning and Katherine Helmond made a nice pair as the outgoing Santa and Mrs. Claus. Who better to play the role of a "young" Santa struggling with identity and relationship issues than the actor who played Frasier all of those years. No good story is complete without a good villain, and Elaine Hendrix -- who played the gold-digging fiancée in "The Parent Trap" -- again played the part to perfection.

I especially liked the subtext of how the power and love of the holiday spirit can overcome the cruel, corrupt world surrounding us.

Give it a look...with the family!

Had to watch because of Kelsey Grammar

[healthfusion · 6/10 · 27 December 2015]

I almost stopped watching, but somehow Kelsey was drawing me to continue.

It is an OK movie, however, only 3 people did their part well, Kelsey Grammar, Elaine Hendrix and Katherine Helmond. All the rest sucked big time, especially the other girl Ana. The worst acting I have ever seen.

It is still OK to watch till the end, but it was really what the rating is about 5.5, but gave it a six because of the 3 actors above. The plot is great, effect OK, but acting again is so horrible.

It lacked some excitement not because of the story but because of bad acting by the rest of the actors. Even the children in this movie are not good actors, I wonder if they were just related to the movie makers, because frankly, I would never hire them.

Great at what it aims to be

[fredit-43004 · 7/10 · 6 December 2023]

This is a 2002 made-for-Hallmark Christmas movie. Starting from that fact, this (for me) was a totally enjoyable film which I never knew existed until today. I work from home and often put on Christmas films and music for background noise. But when I noticed this one I actually watched. It's not inspired, nor is it an instant classic. Yes, the plot is contrived, but so are the plots of the vast majority of Christmas films.

Criticizing the casting in something like this seems overkill to me. The quality of this film is far superior to the shoestring-budget, no name, mass produced seasonal romances now overrunning the streaming services. This film is a cut above.

Lovely frothy nonsense. Perfect Christmas fare

[silby1867 · 4 December 2009]

There was no mystery son. Danny was the Grandson of Lorena's Aunt.

I really enjoyed this. I can watch Kelsey Grammar in anything, but I found that I couldn't take my eyes off Katherine Helmund. She was 74 when she made this and was so beautiful. Her bone structure is exquisite and no amount of money can replicate that. Her costumes and hair were a delight. She looked every inch a queen.

The plot may have been thin but it was still enjoyable and despite it turning out to be a scam I thought the idea behind MrStNick.com was brilliant.

Peace and goodwill to everyone.

could do with some work

[kevinfletcher · 8 December 2002]

my kids loved it but i thought it could use some work i didn't like the part how Santa Claus only was for 100 year because in other movies and books he is meant to live forever and my kids asked why it was different in that movie and i had to make up excuses otherwise it was a great movie