Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1917 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-11-24
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English, German
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 112 minutes

Synopsis
Fred Claus (Vince Vaughn) has lived his entire life in his brother’s very large shadow. Fred tried, but could hardly live up to the example set by the younger Nicholas(Paul Giamatti), who was just a perfect. True to form, Nicholas grew up to be the model of giving, while Fred became the polar opposite. Over Mrs. Claus’ objections, Nicholas agrees to help his brother on one condition: that he come to the North Pole and earn the money he needs by working in Santa’s workshop. The trouble is that Fred isn’t exactly elf material and, with Christmas fast approaching, Fred could jeopardize the jolliest holiday of the year.

Customer Reviews

Ho Ho Oh No!
It's that time of year again when I like to get out the Christmas films in the weeks leading up to the big day to get into the festive spirit. There's always my classics that I'll watch every year (HOME ALONE, SCROOGED, DIE HARD 1 & 2, ELF, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE) and then there's some which I'll give a try, hoping to fall upon a new favourite - this year (among others) I tried FRED CLAUS.

The setting is very Christmassy - lots of snow, Santa, elves etc - and the main focus is on Santa's brother, Fred, who needs a large sum of money urgently so agrees to work for his brother at his workshop to earn it. The main problems with this film is that the characters are so unlikeable to the point where I really didn't care for them at all and was actually bored and irritated within no time at all, it is also not very funny or cheery and is definitely not a feel-good film, which is what you'd expect from an Christmas film. The story falls flat and feels as if it had ran out of ideas before it even really starts. The only good parts of the movie for me was when Vince Vaughn (Fred) was being chased by a dozen Santas (with Bird is the Word playing in the background) and seeing an elf version of Ludacris.

Generally this film is very disappointing. I'm glad I only rented it or I really would have felt like I wasted my money on this one. If this film was on TV one Christmas Eve afternoon when I have nothing else to do I may leave it on in the background but otherwise I will happily forget FRED CLAUS.

Great family film
I am a hugh fan of all things Christmas and this movie is one if not the best Christmas movies I have ever seen, its right up there with the Muppets Christmas carol!! Class film for all the family. Buy It!!!

Heartfelt Family film
I watched Fred Claus in the cinema last year and LOVED it. You see Saint Nicholas' birth and some of his childhood growing up with his older brother Fred. Unfortunately due to Nicholas' saintly nature poor Fred feels that he is living in his brother's shadow and holds an anger aimed at poor Nicholas because of this.

This Christmas is different to other Christmasses as it looks like poor Santa is being shut down as Children's present requests are increasing every year and Santa hurts his back and is therefore unable to do his duty on Christmas eve. Only a Claus is able to ride the sleigh....

Will Fred Claus be able to understand the meaning of Christmas and help his brother, and if he does is there a chance he will be able to deliver all of the presents in time before sunrise. I am definately buying this dvd so I can watch it this Christmas as well.