Vince Vaughn is miscast in this.

Great - a Christmas movie for people who don't like Christmas! Although I shouldn't say it, I liked it (if you take it for what it is). Kids will think it's ok and there is some interesting adult humour too. So no surprises it's not Bergman but it's not meant to be. It's a light film aimed at kids around Christmas. On that level it succeeds and stays just the right side of syrup sweet.

It felt like the actors tried to make the best of a bad situation (aka script) and their talent brings a few shining spots to an otherwise bland movie. Kids may think it's real funny, but most adults will probably be bored with it. Vaughn does his fast talking/long monologue shtick, and it's kind of funny. You just can't help but remember all the times you've seen it done better in other movies.

"A holiday fable far too safe and toothless to take advantage of Vince Vaughn's ribald strengths." - Nick Schager

While it picks up towards the end, it's mostly an enormous disappointment that struggles to utilise the skills of its impressive cast. Instead, the audience is left with weak jokes, festive clichés and irritating turns from the actors, especially Vaughn's constant quicktalking and Weisz's irritatingly out of place Londoner. Worst of all, though, is the complete lack of Christmas spirit: an absolutely unforgivable failing for this type of movie.

There are a few good laughs in this movie and I do like the premise. However this movie gets to sappy near the end and ruins what could have been a good comedy.

popcorn, story, (casting)

Massive, massive, massive, massive, massive, massive, massive, massive pile of shit.

Turn up an hour late and you'll see a good movie, might not make much sense though. Otherwise you have to slog through an hour or so of crud.

Vince Vaughn has a style of comedy that can be put to good use or can be hammered to the floor with a ridiculous holiday catastrophe like "Fred Claus." It wants to have the fun of "Elf," but Vaughn doesn't get to do much of anything here. The script is a complete mess. It may have worked better as a "Bad Santa" type than as family comedy.

I expected something like Elf, which was stupid but it was funny. But no, can only be stupid. Vince Vaughn is funny and has charisma, which almost guarantees the movie, but little by little, the story will losing, leaving the impression that could be better.

Anti hero movie. I like them.. but this is a pretty boring version of it.

Normally Christmas movies are very good, but this one is an exception. Raunchy comedy actor Vince Vaughan tries to tackle a role in a family film, but he ends up being stiff-armed. I wouldn't advise this one for Christmas evening, watch It's a Wonderful Life or Home Alone instead.

It's kinda funny... but the story fails to do much.

It starts out pretty weak but gets much better as it progresses. There are some eye-rollingly bad moments, but there are also some pretty great scenes (Kevin Spacey's Superman scene, I'm looking at you). It warms the heart, which is all I ask from my Christmas movies.

It's actually not as bad as the critics say. Paul Giamatti and Vince Vaughn is worth the price of admission.

pffff...nothing special...

charming, and entertaining. this movie, however, holds nearly no humor, and is ultimately forgettable. it also makes the fatal christmas movie mistake, it is only watchable around christmas time.

Not Good Movie

Christmas movies and Paul Giamatti are easy to forgive, but this one is not very good at all.

nothing special.... however, very much positive film

'Fred Claus' does okay in many ways. Its high production values and entertaining performances from Vaughn, Giamatti, Spacey and Weisz mean that purely as a Christmas movie it is relatively fun. It is a shame that the potentially fun concept is so poorly handled and the story just does nothing. Also hula-hoops and baseball bats for Christmas? What the fuck!?

Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti's talent is wasted here :( Meh Film