Not too bad!

Rating: Null/10 (8 November 2003)

*If you hate spoilers, do not read this before Christmas!* I'll admit it. The primary reason I went to see this had nothing to do with holiday spirit. It was more like morbid curiosity. I mean, let's face it: BOB NEWHART IN TIGHTS??! Well, once I got used to the sight, I quickly got into the main plot of the movie. James Caan and Mary Steenburgen were their usual (consumate professional) selves. Relative newcomers Daniel Tay and Claire Lautier are definitely going to get more film roles. And, so will Zooey Deschanel (who does her own superb singing on the soundtrack)! True; this was geared mostly for the seven-to-pre-teen demographic. *There's even some light-hearted jabs at some of the Rankin/Bass classics.* So, the thirty-plus crowd might want to fake several trips to the rest room or the snack bar during the lamer (from a grown-up's p.o.v.) jokes. Even so, it's a lot more family-friendly than most other stuff out there. So, even though I'm a few weeks early, "Happy Holidays"(and enjoy the flick)!