The first film was a good fun film to enjoy, the second time not so much so, and unfortunately this third instalment isn't any improvement, but I stuck with it to the end. Basically Santa Claus (Razzie nominated Tim Allen) aka Scott Calvin and his new wife pregnant Carol (Lost's Elizabeth Mitchell) are running the North Pole and the Elves efficiently and getting ready for the next oncoming Christmas. But a new problem crops up when the naughty Jack Frost (Razzie nominated Martin Short) has been causing trouble, and he is put on probation and it is up to Santa to keep an eye on him. Of course with presents needing to be made and wrapped this is not easy, and the Claus' are concentrating more on Carol's parents, the Newmans, father Bud (Alan Arkin) and mother Sylvia (Ann-Margret) coming to visit. While they come to the North Pole, fooled into thinking it is Canada, and Scott's ex-wife Laura (Wendy Crewson),his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) and Laura's husband Neil Miller (Beverly Hills Cop's Judge Reinhold) are hanging round too, Jack Frost is ready to cause more trouble. He knows he can finally get some recognition he craves by becoming the new Santa Claus, and he knows that the hall of snow shakers hides the one that can change the past and future. So with Scott pressured and tricked into it, they go twelve years ago when Scott caused the original Santa to fall off the roof, and Jack shouts and ultimately puts on the red coat to take the helm. They return to the present day in the alternative world, where Scott is thin and brown haired working in his office like he used to, and the North Pole is advertised as a theme park attraction with Jack as the new Santa Claus to run the show. Returning to the North Pole and with a little help, Scott manages to grab the snow globe that caused this situation, and double cross Jack into doing the same as he did to him. So they go back twelve years again, and Scott stops Jack shouting again to watch the past Scott shout and the future restore itself, just in time for Christmas Eve and delivery time, for his baby too. Also starring The Cat in the Hat's Spencer Breslin as Curtis, Liliana Mumy as Lucy Miller, Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin as Trish, Art LaFleur as Tooth Fairy, Kevin Pollak as Cupid, Aisha Tyler as Mother Nature, Jay Thomas as Easter Bunny, Star Trek: The Next Generation's Michael Dorn as Sandman and Peter Boyle as Father Time. Allen is still alright as the lead, Short is pretty annoying as the bad guy, the inclusion of Arkin doesn't add to much, the story is slightly better than the last, there are small laughs and Christmas fun, but as a whole it is a silly seasonal family fantasy comedy. It was nominated the Razzie for Worst Excuse for Family Entertainment, Worst Prequel or Sequel and Worst Screen Couple for Allen and Short. Okay!

Tim Allen and co return for one final outing as the modern day Santa and his extended family have to put up with Jack Frost trying to take over Christmas.

After the first two films in the series this third instalment was always going to have high standards to beat and although this is a good attempt it fails to do this.

I don't mind the 'It's a Wonderful Life' style scenario but feel that there is too much build up to Scott evoking the escape clause and not enough of him solving the problem.

Martin Short is on fine form as Frost and Allen shines again as Santa but some of the heart that was present in the first two outings seems to be missing. Reinhold and Crewson are reduced to extended cameos and David Krumholtz's absence as Bernard is noticeable.

Overall this is a decent film to conclude the trilogy but it remains the weakest link in what is overall a fine set of films. My advice though would be to buy the box set of these films because there are magical moments to be found in each one.

Pregnant Mrs. Claus (Elizabeth Mitchell) is almost due, and she wishes for human contact. So Santa (Tim Allen) decides to bring her parents (Ann-Margret, Alan Arkin) to the North Pole along with Santa's ex and her family (Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Liliana Mumy). Meanwhile, the Counsel of Legendary Figures is to judge Jack Frost (Martin Short) for all his wrongdoings. Santa decides to help out by letting him work as one of his helpers. Only Jack Frost schemes to take over Christmas by using the Escape Clause.

The charms of the previous two installments are mostly gone. When North Pole gets remade into Canada, it just emphasized how fake it all is. In the other two, Tim Allen is running around trying to hide his identity from people who love him. In this one, the only people who don't know is Ann-Margret and Alan Arkin. They don't really love him, and there isn't that joy of discovery. That charm isn't here this time around.

Also Bernard the Elf (David Krumholtz) isn't here this time. Curtis (Spencer Breslin) is now the head elf. The movie misses Bernard's attitude and energy. Although it's cute to see Abigail Breslin as one of the little elves. As for Jack Frost, he's alright as the bad guy but he's not funny. In fact, this movie isn't funny. There is a lack of joy. The only one with the wonder and excitement in her eyes is Liliana Mumy. Aside from her, there is too much tension. This movie just doesn't have the same feel.