In The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, Tim Allen’s third outing as Santa/Scott Calvin, a rival emerges for control of his North Pole operation. It’s none other than a very envious Jack Frost, played with smarmy gusto by funnyman Martin Short. Unfortunately, despite Short’s highly entertaining turn and the film’s whimsical setting, this second sequel lacks the charm of the first two Santa Clause movies.  

Allen’s Santa has become worried about his pregnant wife (Elizabeth Mitchell) who misses her parents, so he invites his in-laws (Alan Arkin and Ann-Margaret) to the North Pole for the holidays. He also extends an invitation to his own family, which includes his ex-wife (Wendy Crewson), her husband (Judge Reinhold) and their daughter (Liliana Mumy). Santa has almost too much going on -- what with being an expectant father, dealing with all the relatives and overseeing the tremendous amount of work involved in making toys for Christmas. Jack Frost offers to help, but he harbors a secret plot that, if successful, would result in Scott/Santa evoking the Escape Clause and Jack Frost becoming the new Santa.

With his devilishly amusing portrayal of Jack Frost, Martin Short provides the highlight of this second sequel. Short’s frosty make-up, icicle-spiked hair and snow-streaked costume transform him into a wintry imp, leaving very little trace of the clever comedian. He’s especially watchable in a Las Vegas style musical number parodying the song “New York, New York”  (the one that starts out with "Start spreading the news ...") -- backed up by little elf chorus girls assisting him as he belts out “North Pole, North Pole.” 

Actually, Martin Short turns out to be the only reason for adults to see this movie. The rest of the film may appeal to youngsters because of its colorful Toy Factory and Hall of Snow Globes scenes as well as some reindeer flatulence (which the kiddies seem to enjoy in every film aimed at them), but most of the dialogue is really lame -- and there’s not much to laugh at here. However, the film does manage to evoke a bit of welcome nostalgia in scenes showing Scott Calvin first becoming Santa -- and there’s a touch of It’s a Wonderful Life when Scott sees what happens to everyone he cares about if he hadn’t become Santa.

Sadly, Santa Clause 3 fails to live up to the other films in this holiday franchise. Because I loved those first two movies so much, I’m disappointed this one put such a chill on my Christmas spirit.    

(Released by Walt Disney Pictures and rated “G” for general audiences: all ages admitted.)