Film Review:Borat and Santa Clause 3
Last Friday saw the release of two new comedies, “Borat!: Cultural Learning’s of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” and one with a much simpler title, “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.”
First, “Borat!” Borat Sagdiyev is a news reporter for Kazakhstani TV. He is sent to America to learn about the culture of the greatest country on Earth in hopes that he can use these lessons to improve the glorious nation of Kazakhstan. The movie is hilarious but it only has the one gag going for it: Borat’s fish-out-of-water cultural and language problems.
Though the movie is only 84 minutes, it seems like much longer. This can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is very funny, one of the funniest films I’ve seen in a long time. But, on the other hand, the “fish out of water” scenario goes only so far.
It is delightfully politically incorrect and, as previously mentioned, fall-down drag-out rolling-on-the-floor-with-laughter hilarious. Although some of the humor is uncomfortable, you still can’t help laughing. This will definitely become a cult classic. Rated R for a good reason, this film has nudity, language, sexual and crude comedy. Definitely hire a sitter — this is not for the kids. Starring Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat, I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars.
The other film to hit the box office last Friday was the third and final chapter in Disney’s “The Santa Clause” series, “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause,” starring Tim Allen once again as Scott Calvin, a.k.a. Santa Claus. Mrs. Claus, Santa’s new wife is about to deliver their first baby as the man in red goes into the Christmas season. With all the preparations for the big night being made, Santa decides to surprise his wife by bringing her parents to visit the North Pole for the first time under the guise of being a toy maker in Canada. At the same time, Jack Frost (Martin Short) is trying to move in on Christmas. Frost, a seasonal rebel, is given one more chance to redeem himself by working under the “Big Guy” as a helper to get Christmas ready.
Through this, Jack learns of the Escape Clause, a way to be sent back in time to prevent Scott from making the decision to put on the coat to become Santa Claus. He tricks him into using the Escape Clause and both are sent back to the first film when Scott became Santa but Jack puts on the coat instead. Then the story becomes like “It’s A Wonderful Life” as Scott sees what would have been had he never become Santa. Now the race is on to see if he can win back Santa-dom and reclaim the throne to bring true happiness to the children of the world.
This is so much better than the predecessor, Santa Clause 2. It is funny, witty, sweet and a sure classic for years to come. A great way to end the trilogy and start the Christmas season. Having Scott in the parallel universe to see what could have been worked well. The chemistry and comedy between Tim Allen and Martin Short was great. This is a kids’ movie. It is colorful and fun with reindeer and toys, all ingredients for a great family movie. Rated G, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars.