(2 out of 5 stars)

Fred Claus is the typical story of a bumbling brother in the shadow of his better and more popular brother who ultimately has to save Christmas. Vince Vaughn plays the unknown brother to Paul Giamatti’s Santa Claus. Kevin Spacey plays the sniveling bad guy who wants to ruin Christmas forever.

I can deal with the story that has been filmed a million times. I can deal with the substandard acting. What I cannot figure out is what the director was doing with this movie. What should have been a simple story with a sweet ending and even a little lesson about the commercialization of Christmas, at times becomes a movie that has no direction with the viewer wondering what the actual plot is all about.

So far no Christmas movie has reached the potential and required annual viewing of Elf, and Fred Claus appears to not even attempt at becoming that next holiday favorite.

As Fred was forgotten and ultimately unnoticed by his family, Fred Claus will be forgotten as soon as it completes a few weeks in the rental charts.

Similar Recommended Titles: The Santa Clause and Elf