The Santa Suit (2010 TV Movie) User Reviews

I don't think there is anybody in the whole world that cares about Drake Hunter.

[lastliberal · 7/10 · 12 December 2010]

Every year we are exposed to different takes on traditional stories. There are rarely new concepts, just different ways of interpretation.

Kevin Sorbo has a dozen screen appearances this year, and it is a welcome break to see him in something other than Hercules or Syfy.

He is perfect as an unloved CEO - no wife, no girlfriend, no friends of any kind. He pushed cheap toys and is only interested in sales, not people.

Of course, he runs into the real Santa, who decides to teach him a lesson. He is now broke and in a Santa suit. What else is going to do but work as Santa for Christmas? Of course, there is a sad, cute little girl (Brianna Daguanno), and a perky social worker (Jennifer Gibson).

This one will tug at your heartstrings even if you know how it will end.

Not a classic, but still a good Christmas movie...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 9 May 2017]

The first time I got acquainted with "The Santa Suit" was during the Christmas holidays of 2016, as I sat down for a Christmas movie marathon with my family.

I must say that this movie actually turned out to be rather good, which was somewhat of a surprise. None of us had expected much from the movie, given the synopsis and the cast list. But "The Santa Suit" actually turned out to be a rather enjoyable movie.

Sure, this movie is as predictable and generic as you would assume, given the storyline and the presentation of aforementioned storyline. But still, writer Kevin Commins and director Robert Vaughn had managed to create a rather enjoyable Christmas movie.

As for the cast, well, I initially had some reservations as the only one I knew was Kevin Sorbo, and his track record of movie performances has been somewhat fluctuating. But he really stepped up here and performed quite well, and I do think that he was quite suitable for this particular type of movies.

If you enjoy watching Christmas-themed movies during the holidays, then "The Santa Suit" is definitely worth checking out. Sure, it is not a classic such as "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Home Alone". And, for me personally at least, this movie doesn't really have that quality to it that allows for multiple viewings year after year.

Flaws but Still Worth Watching

[Christmas-Reviewer · 7/10 · 11 August 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 Drake Hunter, the president of Hunter Marketing, has the perfect plan to boost sales for his father\'s toy company over the holiday season—hire department store Santas to promote his father\'s merchandise. When the real Santa Claus turns Drake into a Santa lookalike, Drake finds himself working as a dress-up Kris Kringle to make ends meet. Stripped of power and position, Drake discovers the importance of honesty, compassion, and respect.

Now the flaws with this film is numerous. The production itself is the main problem. You can tell its fake snow. Out of camera range there is not snow. There is a scene where someone runs down the street. Then when she turns the corner its nighttime.

As for the film itself? Well it works. However barely. Kevin Sorbo is only saved because the people around him are much better actors. There is a few minor surprises here and there but in general it is very predictable. However the film works. If you like Christmas films you will enjoy this. I did.

Clothes Make the Man

[boblipton · 8/10 · 8 December 2010]

This is a fine little Santa movie as Drake Hunter, the scrooge-like owner of a toy company, finds himself mysteriously transformed into a Santa lookalike for the Christmas season -- he looks and feels like himself in his own mind, but everyone sees him as the jolly old elf in the red suit, even himself in mirrors -- and comes to recognize how empty his life is. Although this sort of body-switching device has been used many times before, this variation on it is well handled in the script department and well worth your time.

I do have one issue: Kevin Sorbo plays the role for as understandably depressed and low affect for the first hour. As I have commented in many another review, this is appropriate but uninteresting but there are enough interesting performances around him to sustain the movie until he begins to slowly work his way out of that state and into a decent person in the second half. That pay off makes the movie.

THUMBS DOWN!!! But great of you want to feel mindless!

[adoptshelterpetstoday · 1/10 · 7 December 2014]

I actually hate this movie!

I don't think it could have been made more dull, drab, annoying, and tiresome: the plot, the actor, the lines, everything.......Just one humdrum scene flowed into another. Nothing enticing, nothing captivating, nothing cheerful about this "Christmas" movie. It actually gave a sense of depression!

To TRY to watch it one time without getting bored out of my wits by the first half hour was difficult enough, but to watch it a second time, is cruelty to the mind!

And I began to hate it because it is aired ad nauseum!...while Hallmark has so much better Christams movies that could have been aired.

It did have one great part though, thankfully: "The End."

Surprisingly Good!

[alistar-27996 · 8/10 · 29 November 2018]

I'm always dubious about TV movies on these kind of channels, but this one actually drew me in. I only started watching it by accident, stood there with a coffee just staring at the TV, the found myself drawn in to the amazing Christmas message. It's cliché, it's obvious what happens and we all know where the story is heading but how it gets there is very well done and makes for a really watchable and entertaining Christmas film. Well worth a watch.

It's 2021 and this movie is still a good one

[ciar206 · 10/10 · 2 April 2021]

Available on Hallmark (Demand) and this is NOT a typical Hallmark movie, but I love it - one of my favorite Christmas movies...a little bit of fun in many ways, a tiny bit of romance, and it tugs my heart in so many ways, every time. Enjoy it.

(BTW, I'm not a Kevin Sorbo fan, but this one is still good!).

A Santa lesson

[alisonrhem62 · 10/10 · 5 December 2010]

The best Christmas movie I have seen in decades. Kevin Sorbo does and exceptional job in the role of Drake. Sorbo's character is realistic and believable and not over the top. I laughed and cried and can't wait to watch it again and again. If it has been ages since a movie has touched your heart then this is a must see. If you want to watch a Christmas movie that makes you feel you have not wasted 2 hours of your time, then this is the one to see. If you want to watch a movie that you can't walk away from even on the commercials then sit back and enjoy this ever so worthwhile movie. This is a movie that should be watched year long and not just at Christmas. Honestly, I can't say enough about this movie, except "Watch it!"

Love me some Kevin Sorbo!

[truckml · 8/10 · 13 December 2010]

While this is nothing new about using a sort of a "George Bailey / Scrooge" outline for the story, its nice to see it in a new concept. Rich greedy CEO gets a new outlook on life. Of course it doesn't hurt that Kevin Sorbo is the hunk of a CEO. Although he is a little bland in the beginning he comes out of his uneasiness to embrace his role as Santa. I thought this would be a "boo-hoo save the little poor kid movie" and I wasn't about to watch it. But I was dying to see a new Christmas movie and this one turned out surprisingly good. No matter how mean they try to make Kevin Sorbo he always comes across as super nice though. The supporting cast was okay. Of course there are a few teary scenes but all in all it was a fun movie.

And you said Kevin Sorbo couldn't act

[BuckeyeJohn1976 · 8/10 · 21 December 2021]

I was expecting a silly Christmas comedy, ha ha, a Scrooge executive is changed into Santa, learns the error of his ways (while making us laugh at his predicaments) and of course is magically transformed into the reformed Scrooge by the end. I expected nothing really special, but since it's rated 6.7 I expected to enjoy it.

Wrong. I laughed and smiled a few times early on, but basically I found this to be a very touching movie as Kevin Sorbo more and more saw himself as others saw him, and he didn't like it. That his singular focus on the bottom line hurt others, and worst of all, that he didn't even care. I was especially moved by his retelling of his Christmas bike story. I liked that his transformation was gradual, and not a light switch. I would only say that I wish Hallmark had sold 2 or 3 minutes less of commercials, so that the exposition of the new person he had become could have been more gradual.

I liked it a lot, I highly recommend it, and can't wait to share it with my wife.

Fantastic Christmas Movie.

[robert_215 · 10/10 · 8 November 2014]

What an absolute brilliant Christmas movie. This is 1 of the best one's I've seen. Surprised this was not a big hit I have seen some Christmas films but this as to be one of the best. I was almost crying a few times it really put me in the Christmas spirit a great feel good movie. Cheered me right up a must watch at the festive time.

What an absolute brilliant Christmas movie. This is 1 of the best one's I've seen. Surprised this was not a big hit I have seen some Christmas films but this as to be one of the best. I was almost crying a few times it really put me in the Christmas spirit a great feel good movie. Cheered me right up a must watch at the festive time.

Wonderful Cliched Christmas Story That is Well Done

[Dark_Lord_Mark · 9/10 · 29 December 2019]

Yes, we have seen these types of movies before in many different forms, but that does not mean this re-telling is bad or not fun.

Kevin Sorbo is Drake hunter. He's an ego-maniacal toy company big wig, who is mean spirited, anti-christmas and it takes a Kris Krandall to teach Drake a lesson.

Santa teaches Drake a lesson and will Drake find the true meaning of X-mas?

Highly recommended to watch with a wife, girlfriend or children.

Well "Suit"-ed for the Holidays !!!

[lallimj · 9/10 · 30 January 2015]

Disclaimer: I'm a Kevin Sorbo fan. He's a good actor. If you compare him to most of the "generic" actors in Hallmark movies, he's a clear standout. When he comes on the screen he's certainly seems every inch a movie star. I say that because I've watched (or should I say fast-forwarded through) many HM movies where it really wasn't clear who was (supposed to be) the "star." This guy has matinée idol good looks (even now, well into his 50's) and he really is a cut above the usual male lead. There's a scene in the movie where he's recounting something upsetting, and he does it just the right blend of privacy, melancholy, and embarrassment that is appropriate when telling something private. In general, this is a great little feel-good holiday movie. Two thumbs up !!!

A nice Christmas movie surprise

[nancyfast-82933 · 9/10 · 19 November 2023]

Kevin Sorbo's portrayal of a toy company president facing a downturn in toy quality was elusive to me, in the beginning. The story progress was also slow initially but I resisted the impulse to stop. I began to unfold the plot in my mind like I would in reading a book. I could see the beauty in the story as it was written. I could appreciate the awkwardness and the beauty of the main character's transition back and forth. Kevin Sorbo is a fine actor whose skill made this story intriguing, rewarding and unforgettable. It may not hold the interest of younger viewers but the positive life lessons could be understood by 11 year olds and older, in my opinion.

The Santa Suit

[dirossi-01021 · 10/10 · 27 November 2023]

I've just for the first time EVER discovered this movie. And I haven't been able to watch it all the way through, I've seen a different part of it twice, and can't WAIT to see it all the way through, because it is one of the most heartfelt, and lovely Christmas movies EVER. I can't believe I hadn't seen it in 2010 when it came out nor any year thereafter! How can this be? I thought, when I START watching Christmas movies in July! I'm just so grateful to have found it now. I wish my daughter could have seen it with me. We'd sit on the couch and cry about how perfect it could be in every way. The meaning of Christmas gets lost in this day and age, but The Santa Suit is a reminder of what it is supposed to be. Thank you.