Defending Santa is a merging of two Christmas movie genera including variation on the Miracle on 34th St. and finding a replacement for a recently deceased spouse story themes. Like Miracle on 34th St., Defending Santa follows a similar storyline track of an overzealous DA out to prove Santa is insane, the slow convincing of skeptical town folks that he is the real Santa and Santa trying to get back to the north pole in time to keep Christmas spirit alive. Throw in Santa hibernating in the woods to open the movie, Jud Tylor's vying to be Dean Cain's spouse replacement and time portals to the north pole and there is just enough storyline to keep your interest to the end.
Its not a great movie and its not a bad movie, its just kinda there. Worth watching if you can't get Miracle on 34th St. (or one of its many remakes) on your schedule.