This year for Christmas I decided to do 28 reviews of Christmas movies (new and old) for the 28 days leading up to Christmas Day. The movie SuperKlaus is the twenty-seventh Christmas film of this little end-of-year event. If you want to suggest a film, I'll let you do so in the comments. Find previous films in clicking here.
???? SuperKlaus, 4 days before Christmas ???? // By Steve Majaury and Andrea Sebastiá. Featuring the vocals of Harland Williams, Colm Feore and Millie Davis.
In December, the magic of Christmas gradually sets in, accompanied by its annual batch of holiday-themed films. These productions, ranging from cute animations to sweet romances, including offbeat comedies and action films, invade our screens with a clear objective: to captivate spectators, young and old, during the holiday season. However, in this ocean of novelties, it is not uncommon to come across works that struggle to convince, and SuperKlausa Canadian and Spanish co-production, is a perfect example. The idea behind SuperKlaus was appealing. Imagine: Santa Claus, a big fan of a fictional hero named SuperKlaus, is offered by his elves an exact replica of his costume and his supersonic sleigh.
Santa's wish comes true when he accidentally hits his head and begins to believe he is SuperKlaus. With the help of Billie and Leo, his elf assistant, SuperKlaus will face a businessman obsessed with toys to save Christmas.
But, following an accident which causes him to lose his memory, he convinces himself that he is truly this legendary hero. Accompanied by Billie, a cunning teenager who discovers Santa's true identity, he embarks on a mission to save Christmas from the clutches of Frank Fafnir, a malevolent industrialist determined to sabotage the festivities. On paper, this plot mixes fantasy, adventure and humor, all sprinkled with a light criticism of superhero culture. In practice, unfortunately, the execution struggles to keep its promises. One of the first weaknesses of the film lies in its visual production. The animation, although colorful, is more reminiscent of a modest television production than a feature film intended for the big screen.
The graphic style lacks refinement, and character movements often appear stiff, a problem that might have been acceptable in a streaming context, but disappoints when it comes to a theatrical release. As for the characters, their development leaves something to be desired. Billie, meant to be the emotional heart of the story, suffers from a voice that does not match her apparent age, making it difficult for younger viewers to identify with. For his part, Santa Claus, in his role as an improvised superhero, oscillates between amusing moments and scenes that fall flat, often because of overly predictable dialogue. The scenario, although sympathetic in its intention, relies on worn narrative mechanisms, such as amnesia caused by a blow to the head.
This trope, used numerous times in cinema, is barely diverted here, which reduces the effect of surprise and harms the originality of the story. Furthermore, the film tries to ironize on the codes of superheroes, but ends up reproducing them without really subverting them, which gives an impression of imbalance. Frank Fafnir, the main antagonist, could have been a memorable villain, but he is reduced to a cliché of the capitalist villain with no depth. Its motivations, while rooted in an implicit critique of the over-commercialization of Christmas, lack the nuance to generate real interest. SuperKlaus primarily targets a young audience, but even on that front it seems to miss the mark. Children might find the story entertaining, but the quality of the animation and lack of energy in some scenes may not hold their attention.
As for the adults accompanying these young spectators, they risk being bored by a film which offers few moments of humor or references likely to captivate them. SuperKlaus is in the same vein as certain Christmas productions offered by streaming platforms, such as The Knight Before Christmas or Hot Frosty. These films, although imperfect, find their place in the comfort of an evening at home. It is undeniable that the initial idea of SuperKlaus had great potential. A reimagining of Santa Claus as a superhero could have made for a clever satire or thrilling adventure. Unfortunately, the film seems to waver on what tone to take, resulting in an uneven experience.
The attempt to combine a critique of superhero blockbusters with a warm Christmas story remains superficial, and universal themes like friendship, courage or the importance of preserving the Christmas spirit fail to move. SuperKlaus could have been a gem in the flood of Christmas films, but it ends up being second-rate entertainment, suitable for streaming, but difficult to justify for theatrical release. If the idea of seeing Santa Claus take on the role of a superhero intrigues you, you will need to make sure you have nothing else in stock to keep the children occupied. Although this film will probably not make an impression, it nevertheless serves as a reminder that the magic of Christmas can be celebrated in many ways. And even if SuperKlaus is not the expected gem, it can still find its audience among fans of simple and light stories.
Note : 3/10. In short, a festive attempt which leaves a taste of unfinished business.
Coming soon to France
