As a seasoned film critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from the sublime to the ridiculous, and everything in between. But among the multitude of films I’ve watched, few have left me as perplexed and somewhat amused as Santa Claus: The Movie.
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by the concept of reimagining classic stories and blending genres to keep things fresh. Take “Red One,” for instance – although its box office success was lackluster, it wasn’t entirely unexpected that they combined Christmas with action and adventure. However, if it had been the pioneer in this unique blend, I wonder if the audience would have embraced it more enthusiastically? Timing is crucial in the movie industry, and “Santa Claus: The Movie” serves as a prime example of this. It was one of the most peculiar Christmas films due to its ambitious attempt at breaking new ground, but the truth is, the audience wasn’t quite ready for such innovation at that time. Yet, there’s another significant factor that contributed to its failure…
1985’s “Santa Claus: The Movie” was directed by Jeannot Szwarc, who previously worked on the movie “Supergirl” in 1984. Unfortunately, “Supergirl” received a deluge of unfavorable reviews and flopped at the box office. In “Santa Claus: The Movie”, we follow Santa Claus’s backstory, where he perishes as a simple toy maker only to be resurrected by magical elves in the North Pole. On paper, this plot sounds engaging, but upon viewing, some viewers found striking resemblances to Richard Donner’s “Superman: The Movie” (1978), which didn’t appeal to audiences.
As a huge fan, I can’t help but marvel at the enduring impact of Superman, one of DC Comics’ most legendary superheroes. A significant chunk of his fame can be traced back to the groundbreaking 1978 film that not only set new standards in film production but also resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. At an unprecedented cost of $55 million, it was the most expensive movie ever made at the time, paving the way for a captivating narrative that earned universal acclaim and grossed a staggering $300 million at the box office. The film’s success spawned two sequels, and it was this triumph that inspired the franchise’s producers to replicate its magic in another production.
How Superman Influenced Santa Claus: The Movie
It’s intriguing to ponder over the fact that Santa Claus and Clark Kent have certain parallels – both embody hope and kindness. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that “Santa Claus: The Movie” is essentially a Christmas-themed adaptation of “Superman: The Movie”. In the movie, Santa Claus transforms from a regular gift-deliverer into an immortal figure with a global mission to spread joy, similar to Clark Kent’s journey from an ordinary farmer to a superhero tasked with saving Earth. Both characters experience significant life changes upon visiting enchanted, otherworldly locations – the North Pole and remnants of Krypton respectively – where they receive powers that aid them in fulfilling their new responsibilities.
The two movies exhibit a comparable narrative design, blending a somber initial mood that gradually transitions into a more playful, fantastical one as events unfold. In both instances, the antagonists are noteworthy for being corrupt businessmen with audacious schemes aimed at amassing wealth. Moreover, it’s worth noting that the protagonists of each film execute a thrilling move in a critical situation to protect others, and the climaxes feature an iconic scene of them soaring through the air.
Another way of expressing this could be: Similarities abound in both movies, such as the villain being deceived by their followers, the protagonist pursuing an explosive gadget amidst the sky, a sage mentor guiding the hero to harness their abilities, and the recounting of the heroes’ backstories, all serving to highlight the notable similarities between the two productions.
The Failure of Santa Claus: The Movie is a Lesson for the Film Industry
The concept of The Hero’s Journey remains relevant, despite appearing somewhat familiar to contemporary viewers. It’s not surprising that it significantly impacted the creation of the Superman films, which later had an influence on both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and DC Extended Universe (DCEU), transforming figures such as Iron Man and Batman into cultural phenomena. Applying this structure to a traditional character like Santa Claus might initially seem peculiar, but with the right execution, it could yield something original and engaging. Nevertheless, blindly replicating another film’s formula for financial gain is a questionable strategy in today’s market, where people are eager for novelty and creativity.
On the contrary, exercising caution alongside creativity holds equal significance. Although originality is crucial for creating an engaging script, veering too much towards extreme concepts may overburden a film and fall short with viewers. Santa Claus: The Movie stands as a warning about projects that falter due to an attempt at innovation without grasping the appropriate cultural context or failing to nurture a coherent, focused storyline, well-rounded characters, and solid character development.
Santa Claus: The Movie is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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2024-11-30 19:09