Everybody's a critic - 'The Santa Clause 2'

Four stars

This movie starring Tim Allen is great for any age group. The extra makeup and padding for this role certainly change Tim's features.

While preparing for Christmas, Santa is told that his son is in trouble again at school. Before leaving for the school, another Santa is cloned so the elves won't know the real Santa is gone.

Santa also learns at this time that he will have to find a wife before Christmas. That's the Santa clause.

The dating scene proves to be hopeless until Santa meets his son's principal. Christmas Eve finds Santa back at the North Pole with all problems resolved in time for the yearly trip.

-- Joyce Engert, retiree

Three stars

You know how people say that the sequel is never as good as the original? In this case they would be wrong.

A few years have passed and one of the elves discovers the "Mrs. Santa clause." Santa has to get married before Christmas if he wants to continue to be Santa. So Santa leaves the North Pole with only 27 days to find a wife. Craziness immediately happens both at the North Pole as they prepare for Christmas and at home as Santa/Scott looks for a wife.

The problem with sequels is that they do not often recapture the magic of the original. The makers of this movie have done just that. The original cast has returned for a light, feel-good holiday movie that at times is both touching and laugh out loud funny. If you liked the original, you will like this movie as well.

-- Mark Martin, pastor

Three stars

Every year at this time, holiday movies bombard the box office and television networks. Some are more child-oriented than others, but since many of my friends and family members are having children I am learning that it is at times easier to have something to watch that entertains both you and your children as well.

Santa (Tim Allen) doing what Santa knows best is fulfilling his duties when things take a turn for the worse. Given a deadline which puts Christmas on the line keeps the children on the edge of their seats wondering what will happen next and draws the parents in as he tries to figure out how to find love and juggle the role of Santa.

My advice is to watch the first one before you go if you have not already seen it.

-- Amy Laubach, sales