Get Santa

This dry, wry, sometimes snarky Christmas tale touches buttons from the ridiculous to the very human, neatly and surely.

Several standard American holiday tropes - Santa getting lost before the holiday, kids asking for their parents back, elves who need humans to save the day - are turned on their heads in inimitable Brit-film style. Jim Broadbent does Santa very well. There's a 'Bad Santa' element, Keystone-esque cops and prison guards, and some hilarious farting reindeer.

The simple human story of father and son bonding, of dad and step-dad and mom making peace with each other, is strong enough to be convincing. And heart-warming.

Very cute movie even for Grams!! I was hooked from the beginning. Personally I think the title could have been a bit catchier. My grandson has tried to get me to watch this movie for a few years now. I just thought it was some sort of twist on a holiday gangster movie using Santa as the culprit. ** my discovery? -->> NOT AT All !! Finally in November 2018 I watched it for the first time. And it was really cute. Santa in fact, continues to reinforce various characters throughout the movie, as well as the screen viewers believability in the magic of Christmas. It's a must see for just about any Christmas movie buff. Except I will have to say that it's not really suitable for younger children, probably 7yrs old and under.

I only watched this film today, after reading some other posts and reviews on here I was a little apprehensive of whether this film would be any good. I've read some people's thoughts on how this film is better suited and better liked by people who understand dry humour and British comedy and they are absolutely right. This film is British through and through, funded by the BFI and starring an all British cast. As someone who is British, I can tell you if you understand that sort of dry and often off colour humour you will love this film like I did.

If you're American or are used to that sort of conventional sugary sweet Hollywood style Christmas film then this film will probably be harder to understand. While it does conform to the traditional narrative and plot points many Hollywood Christmas films do (Christmas isn't coming this year, a broken family saves Christmas and ultimately their own issues and relationships - the film after all is made by Warner Brothers and so the film does still hold some of that conventional Hollywood magic) its uniqueness is found in it's darker and often off colour humour that is iconically British. The film not only showcases a perfect blend of Hollywood and British humour with the help of Warner Bros and BFI but the film also has a brilliant cast with some fantastic British actors. I couldn't help but smile when I saw many actors I recognise from other British TV shows or films. Not only Jim Broadbent but Warwick Davis and Matt King who I know better as Super Hans in the very original and hilariously British sitcom Peep Show. Like it or not this film is certainly worth watching at this festive time of year. Now, it's certainly one I think I will watch every year at Christmas. 🙂🎅🎄

Father Christmas has lost control of his new sleigh on its first test drive. Santa, the reindeer and the sleigh are scattered all over London with only two days to Christmas. Tom, whose father has just got out of prison, finds Santa in the shed at the bottom of his garden.

Chris Broadbent is superb as Santa. The rest of the cast does a good job. Though while she's Dr Who I keep expecting Jody Whitaker to whip out her sonic screwdriver. The production is pretty good while scenery and CGI are variable; Elf City is great but the flying sequences are so-so.

It works as a comedy, a gentle adventure and as an uplifting Christmas story. It is child safe but just for your information: in Europe The North Pole and Lapland are interchangeable as Santa's home. Also the northern lights are definitely something to do with Santa.

I like: The way that Christmas letters are redirected to wherever Santa is. The way the rendeer communicate. The squirrel.

Nine year old Tom discovers Santa and persuades his sceptical dad to help him get back to Lapland. Jim Broabent is very entertaining as the naive and bewildered Father Christmas.

This is refreshingly British and a great addition to my annual must see festive films. One of the best Christmas movies ever made.

It is also way superior to over-rated schmaltz such as 'critics favourite' White Christmas (1954). Personally I had more fun watching paint dry.