Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is a very busy advertising executive and divorced father who suddenly becomes Santa Claus after accidentally killing Santa on Christmas Eve. An amusing year follows as he fights his new role, slow to accept it because he hadn't believed in Santa since childhood. Amid the comedy, real life issues as his ex wife Laura, played by Wendy Crewson, and her new husband Dr. Neil Miller, played by Judge Reinhold fight him for custody of Charlie, played by Eric Lloyd. Neither of them have believed in Santa for years, and feel Scott is losing his mind. His boss and fellow employees also start to think he is losing it.

As the film goes on and the story unfolds, everything works out just as it should, in a heart-warming, Christmassy way, but the humor continues to the very end, keeping it from being overly sugary and sweet as some holiday films tend to be.

I would recommend this 1994 John Pasquin film for everyone. It truly is one of those films you can watch over and over and it will be just as funny each time. Although there are some scenes involving the custody battle, they are mild and have moments of humour in them to keep them light. I truly enjoy watching this one more than once each Christmas season. It is a perfect film to watch with family or friends, or even solo.

Each time I watch it I notice something new. Santa's castle at the North Pole was well thought out and designed with some interesting touches to make it every child's dream of what it should be. The elves, despite their advanced ages, have a childlike appearance which makes them very endearing, and their personalities are well developed so they are more than just toymakers and have lives outside of work. Most stories portray them as diligent toymakers who look like wizened old men, friendly but too busy to have any fun.