MPAA Rating: PG, for mild language and some rude humor
Genre: Comedy/Family/Christmas
Age range: Ages 10 and up
Runtime: Approx. 116 minutes
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Miranda Richardson, Elizabeth Banks, John Michael Higgins, Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates, Kevin Spacey
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: David Dobkin
Screenwriter: Dan Fogelman
Producer: Joel Silver
Release Date: November 9, 2007
Fred Claus - Movie Trailer
Fred Claus - 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...well...saint. True to form, Nicholas grew up to be the model of giving, while Fred became the polar opposite: a fast-talking repo man who's run out of luck and money. 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.
Fred Claus - Note to Parents
Several movies have been released in recent years which depict a version of Santa Claus and his life at the North Pole. Last year's The Santa Claus 3, for example, was directed at families and continued the story of a dad whose life and priorities changed when he became Santa. This new Santa story is similar, although it is really about the brother of Santa, but much of the content and humor is more adult oriented.
Fred Claus also tells a story about family, but it plays out when the brothers are older, and the lessons learned are aimed more at adults than children. Only one child really stands out as a main character in the story, and one scene shows CPS come and take him due to the fact that his home is unfit. Also, much of the humor in the movie, although not overly crude, will likely go over kids' heads. Exciting scenes at the North Pole, Christmas themes and characters like Santa's elves will definitely attract kids' attention, but the comedy and plot are generally not oriented toward young children.
