Santa, Jr. (2002 TV Movie) User Reviews

A Slacker Christmasd

[lastliberal · 6/10 · 9 December 2007]

I could just sit and stare at Lauren Holley for 100 minutes and never complain. She is just so cute!

She was cute as a button in the charming tale of Santa, Jr. (Nick Stabile), a slacker that couldn't understand the meaning of Christmas. She almost ended up spending Christams stuck in the house with him after he was placed on house arrest, but Judd Nelson comes to the rescue, and he and his partner (George Wallace) manage to keep her occupied.

Santa Jr, and his elf (Ed Gale - O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Chucky's stunt double) get it together in time to save Christmas, and the slacker learns that the Christmas spirit is not about Christmas, but exists any time you do something for someone else with no expectation of reward.

What is Christmas Spirit?

[Christmas-Reviewer · 6/10 · 22 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 . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.

Nick Stabile is Santa's son in a heart-warming holiday tale about the family business, starring Lauren Holly (Dumb and Dumber) and Golden Globe nominee Judd Nelson (Billionaire Boys Club). Mistaken for the "Christmas Bandit" bedeviling San Diego, Chris Kringle, Jr. is picked up by cops Darryl Bedford (Nelson) and his partner, Norm Potter (George Wallace), while trying to deliver some Yuletide gifts. He's placed under house arrest in the home of his public defender, Susan Bailey (Holly), who begins to believe in the Christmas Spirit--and even tries to persuade the skeptical Darryl-- but Chris sees no evidence of it.

Not the best Christmas movie I have seen and it is far from being the worse. Many things about this film doesn't work however what does work helps makes this film watchable to the end.

What does work is the message that "The Christmas Spirit" happens all year long!

Not a Christmas classic but it's cute

[Giggles82 · 10 December 2002]

This movie defintely isn't one the whole family will be gathering around the TV every year to watch, like "A Charlie Brown Christmas" or "Frosty the Snowman" or "How the Grinch stole Christmas" but it does have some good qualities.

Nick Stabile stars as ... you guessed it Santa JR, who is helping out Dear old Dad give out presents. He gets picked by the cops, who think he's stealing the gifts rather than giving them. Then comes the Public defender Susan (Lauren Holly) who agrees to help Santa JR. and give him a place to stay. Though skeptical at first she comes around to believing Santa JR is innocent. This is not a view shared by Daryl (Judd Nelson) who also secretly harbors a crush on Susan. They all soon find out that there is another "Santa" in the midsts, and this one is not so nice.

Like I said before this is a cute movie and all the actors do try with the fluff thier given. Nick Stabile does the best job as a young guy saddled with a huge job but also deals with the fact he's lost the Christmas spirit. Lauren Holly, though while she wouldn't of my been my first choice to be in this movie does try her very best. And though Judd Nelson is known for the more.. tough, loner guy roles, such as my personal fav "The Breakfast Club" and 'New Jack City" he doesn't do that bad of a job, though I do think he's better at the roles previously mentioned.

"Santa JR" is defintely one young kids will be able to get into. Adults will have a hard time not rolling their eyes at points but might enjoy the warm fuzzy feeling the film tries to give.

Chris Kringle, Jr is a jail-bird.

[michaelRokeefe · 3/10 · 12 December 2007]

Made-for-TV for the Hallmark Channel. Tame and lame, but is something the whole family can enjoy together. Chris Kringle, Jr.(Nick Stabile)is a hapless slacker that is a source of embarrassment for his famous jolly-old-elf father. Chris wants to change how people see him; he figures he could actually change opinions if he shuffled down a few chimneys right before Christmas Eve. He manages to get arrested for a string of burglaries. While being interviewed by his public defender(Lauren Holly), she starts to believe his story and seriously wants to help save Christmas. Also in this comedy are Judd Nelson, George Wallace, Rodger Bumpass and Ed Gale.

Confusing

[angelasaban · 3/10 · 11 December 2006]

I am a sap for Christmas movies, I will watch almost anything! This movie, however cute in places, appeared to have multiple writers with different directions!

The movie was 3/4 through when suddenly I am told that Santa Jr no longer believes in the Christmas spirit. That was the first I'd heard of it! Yet he still continues to tell others, "Not to give up hope." Cute idea, poorly executed, there are plenty of sappy Santa movies out there, watch a better one!

I would recommend "Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus", which is a Santa Jr, who wants to be Santa!

Not just for the junior crowd!

[inkblot11 · 7/10 · 3 May 2006]

Santa Jr, a young adult male, is caught near a family's fireplace, by the police, after a frantic 911 call. Junior could have prevented getting himself caught but just does not have the Christmas spirit. Having no ready cash, he gets a public defender (Lauren Holly). She manages to get him released to her home for the holidays but Junior will be under house arrest. This ticks off a handsome detective (Judd Nelson) who has a crush on Holly and is afraid the Christmas bandit will be dangerous. And, what about Christmas? Doesn't Santa need all of his helpers? Many film fans will always have a welcome mat out for cheerful, sweet holiday films. If you are one of these, try to find this little charmer. It has some laughs, some lessons, and a dash of romance. Production values are first rate. At holiday time, you'll be glad you added this one to your wish list.

A chip off the old block

[helpless_dancer · 7/10 · 10 February 2004]

Never figured Saint Nick for a family man. In this he gives the reins over to his son which leads to all the cutesy pie things with children and love that you'd expect from any holiday family film. Amusing movie with it's own take on Christmas but still just one more show designed to warm the cockles of your heart.

A fun, light-hearted Christmas movie!

[honest_reviews17 · 7/10 · 30 August 2021]

This movie tells the story of Santa Jr, who runs into trouble while trying to deliver presents early. The rest of the film has similar humor to Home Alone or Jingle All the Way, with a bit more serious tone. But overall the film is very family friendly and worth a watch if you're looking for something simple but enjoyable in a sort of 80's / 90's way.