Everyone's a critic: 'The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause'

Two stars (out of four)

In all fairness, if you haven't watched the first two "Santa Clause" movies, the third will leave you somewhat lost. Unfortunately, I did not see one or two, so I had to catch up.

This is definitely a children's movie. It's somewhat rewarding to take the kids to see a Christmas movie, but from an adult's perspective it was just a little corny. I hate to use that word, because it had a good cast and it's about Santa's helpers.

Martin Short plays Jack Frost, who is trying to upset the apple cart and become Santa himself. Tim Allen is Santa, and he's caught in a dilemma of his wife having their first baby and him completing his Christmas duties. They bring her parents to the North Pole and they are unaware of their daughter being married to the real Santa.

The North Pole is changed to Canada in a plot to fool them.

It's a Christmas story, it's made for children, so mom and dad, grandpa and grandma, take the kids to see it, because it's that time of year.

-- Lindell Brennecke

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One star (out of four)

I was looking forward to seeing this film when I went to the theater. I took my good friend Sam with me, both of us looking forward to a good laugh. The funniest thing in the whole movie were the out-takes shown during the credits.

This third installment in the "Santa Clause" series pits jack Frost against Santa. Frost, of course, wants to take over Christmas and the North Pole. Sequels are always a stretch and this being a third they really were reaching. I honestly started hoping there was an escape clause to get me out of seeing this film about half way through.

The jokes were clichŽ and everything was predictable. You have to be a big fan -- if you really loved the first two films you may enjoy this one, but do not count on it.

-- Carrie Lloyd

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Three and a half stars (out of four)

Before all of the frenzy of the holiday season hits go see "Santa Clause III: The Escape Clause." Just like the perfect recipe for hot chocolate, this film is not too sweet, satisfying without being heavy.

The cast includes former cast member from the first two movies in the series, with additions of Martin Short as Jack Frost. And like all good Christmas stories, there are surprises.

The plot borrow glimpses of classic holiday movies, most notably "It's a Wonderful Life," with just enough twists to keep the story interesting. This is a modern morality play with classic themes: putting love before profit, family before business and authentic joy before commercialism. The happy ending demonstrates good can transform evil.

-- Marilou Shaner