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Post by Bob Schlapowitz on Nov 12, 2007 16:34:22 GMT -5
Fred Claus (2007) **1/2
Directed by David Dobkin
Starring Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates, Ludacris, Kevin Spacey, Elizabeth Banks, John Michael Higgins
Rated PG (Mild Language and Rude Humor)
"Fred Claus" is the story of the older brother of Santa Claus, who is played by Vince Vaughn.
Fred is basically a grade-A scumbag. He is unemployed, and constantly lies to his fed up girlfriend (Weisz). Fred winds up at the North Pole working for his brother, Jolly Old St. Nick.
"Fred Claus" is not a bad movie by any means. It seems really forced at some times and some dialogue is obviously overdubbed to make it more "family friendly." (rumor has it, this film was supposed to be an R-rated "Wedding Crashers"-esque comedy).
Vince Vaughn plays the same exact fast-talking character he has played in just about every picture he's been in, Giamatti is barely recognizable as Santa Claus, (the makeup job on him is outstanding). The highlight is Kevin Spacey, who is usually the highlight of everything he's in. Spacey gets the film's biggest laugh in a "Superman" related joke.
All in all, it seemed like there was a lot missing from "Fred Claus". The film is a great idea that would have worked a lot better as a raunchy R-rated comedy, than an occasionally sappy PG-rated family film. There are what feel like entire scenes missing from the picture that must have wound up on the cutting room floor. Hopefully we'll be able to see what's missing someday, but I wouldn't hold out hope on this being the first Family Comedy to get an unrated DVD.
Thumbs (reluctantly) up
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Ben Wyatt
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Post by Ben Wyatt on Nov 12, 2007 16:37:15 GMT -5
I saw it as well.
Wasnt nearly as bad as some people said it was. It could have been better, but it did entertain me
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Post by Bob Schlapowitz on Nov 12, 2007 18:43:52 GMT -5
I would have preferred it not be so toned down.
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rra
King Koopa
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Post by rra on Nov 12, 2007 18:46:40 GMT -5
Fred Claus (2007) **1/2 Directed by David Dobkin Starring Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates, Ludacris, Kevin Spacey, Elizabeth Banks, John Michael Higgins Rated PG (Mild Language and Rude Humor) "Fred Claus" is the story of the older brother of Santa Claus, who is played by Vince Vaughn. Fred is basically a grade-A scumbag. He is unemployed, and constantly lies to his fed up girlfriend (Weisz). Fred winds up at the North Pole working for his brother, Jolly Old St. Nick. "Fred Claus" is not a bad movie by any means. It seems really forced at some times and some dialogue is obviously overdubbed to make it more "family friendly." (rumor has it, this film was supposed to be an R-rated "Wedding Crashers"-esque comedy). Vince Vaughn plays the same exact fast-talking character he has played in just about every picture he's been in, Giamatti is barely recognizable as Santa Claus, (the makeup job on him is outstanding). The highlight is Kevin Spacey, who is usually the highlight of everything he's in. Spacey gets the film's biggest laugh in a "Superman" related joke. All in all, it seemed like there was a lot missing from "Fred Claus". The film is a great idea that would have worked a lot better as a raunchy R-rated comedy, than an occasionally sappy PG-rated family film. There are what feel like entire scenes missing from the picture that must have wound up on the cutting room floor. Hopefully we'll be able to see what's missing someday, but I wouldn't hold out hope on this being the first Family Comedy to get an unrated DVD. Thumbs (reluctantly) up Good review, though you dropped your "10" scale? As for FRED CLAUS, here is my question: What's Weisz doing in THIS movie? Damn. |
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Post by Bob Schlapowitz on Nov 12, 2007 18:50:51 GMT -5
Fred Claus (2007) **1/2 Directed by David Dobkin Starring Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates, Ludacris, Kevin Spacey, Elizabeth Banks, John Michael Higgins Rated PG (Mild Language and Rude Humor) "Fred Claus" is the story of the older brother of Santa Claus, who is played by Vince Vaughn. Fred is basically a grade-A scumbag. He is unemployed, and constantly lies to his fed up girlfriend (Weisz). Fred winds up at the North Pole working for his brother, Jolly Old St. Nick. "Fred Claus" is not a bad movie by any means. It seems really forced at some times and some dialogue is obviously overdubbed to make it more "family friendly." (rumor has it, this film was supposed to be an R-rated "Wedding Crashers"-esque comedy). Vince Vaughn plays the same exact fast-talking character he has played in just about every picture he's been in, Giamatti is barely recognizable as Santa Claus, (the makeup job on him is outstanding). The highlight is Kevin Spacey, who is usually the highlight of everything he's in. Spacey gets the film's biggest laugh in a "Superman" related joke. All in all, it seemed like there was a lot missing from "Fred Claus". The film is a great idea that would have worked a lot better as a raunchy R-rated comedy, than an occasionally sappy PG-rated family film. There are what feel like entire scenes missing from the picture that must have wound up on the cutting room floor. Hopefully we'll be able to see what's missing someday, but I wouldn't hold out hope on this being the first Family Comedy to get an unrated DVD. Thumbs (reluctantly) up Good review, though you dropped your "10" scale? As for FRED CLAUS, here is my question: What's Weisz doing in THIS movie? Damn. Yeah, I decided to be a conformist and use the same 5 star scale you guys use. Weisz was ridiculously miscast. That part should have gone to someone a little more in this kind of flick's league. I'm coming up blank on who, though. |
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rra
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Post by rra on Nov 12, 2007 18:54:49 GMT -5
Good review, though you dropped your "10" scale? As for FRED CLAUS, here is my question: What's Weisz doing in THIS movie? Damn. Yeah, I decided to be a conformist and use the same 5 star scale you guys use. Weisz was ridiculously miscast. That part should have gone to someone a little more in this kind of flick's league. I'm coming up blank on who, though. Bobby S. , you can do any rating-scale you want. Everyone at ATC has their own scale. Its just me and Rorschach use the 5-star dinner special. I don't know why he does, but we just do. That Weisz casting reminds me of that whole deal with CLERKS 2. |
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Post by Bob Schlapowitz on Nov 12, 2007 18:57:45 GMT -5
Yeah, I decided to be a conformist and use the same 5 star scale you guys use. Weisz was ridiculously miscast. That part should have gone to someone a little more in this kind of flick's league. I'm coming up blank on who, though. Bobby S. , you can do any rating-scale you want. Everyone at ATC has their own scale. Its just me and Rorschach use the 5-star dinner special. I don't know why he does, but we just do. That Weisz casting reminds me of that whole deal with CLERKS 2. I've actually come to like the 5 star scale, I think I'll stick with it. yeah but Rosario Dawson had more to do in that movie than Weisz had in this one. |
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rra
King Koopa
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Post by rra on Nov 12, 2007 18:59:16 GMT -5
Bobby S. , you can do any rating-scale you want. Everyone at ATC has their own scale. Its just me and Rorschach use the 5-star dinner special. I don't know why he does, but we just do. That Weisz casting reminds me of that whole deal with CLERKS 2. I've actually come to like the 5 star scale, I think I'll stick with it. yeah but Rosario Dawson had more to do in that movie than Weisz had in this one. Cool with me. And Kevin Smith is right: "Why would she date this guy?" |
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MCMGM
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Post by MCMGM on Nov 12, 2007 19:02:24 GMT -5
Yeah, I decided to be a conformist and use the same 5 star scale you guys use. Weisz was ridiculously miscast. That part should have gone to someone a little more in this kind of flick's league. I'm coming up blank on who, though. Bobby S. , you can do any rating-scale you want. Everyone at ATC has their own scale. Its just me and Rorschach use the 5-star dinner special. I don't know why he does, but we just do. That Weisz casting reminds me of that whole deal with CLERKS 2. Did you mean them trying to find someone to play Becky or Dawson playing her? I thought she was a great fit, considering she is suppose to be a "A" lister, she ddn't seem out of place to me. Then again, I am biased because I am a mark for the girl. |
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