Toolman returns for repeat role as Santa

Get ready! Santa Claus is coming to town two months early. Just as witches are retiring their broomsticks, Tim Allen returns to the big, red suit in "The Santa Clause 2," a sequel to the 1994 holiday hit, "The Santa Clause."\nThe new film finds Scott Calvin (Allen) preparing for his eighth term as Santa. Twenty-eight days before Christmas, Scott discovers his graffiti artist son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd), has tagged his way onto the "naughty list." In addition, he must find a wife before Christmas Eve or he can no longer continue being Santa (the "Mrs. Clause.") Leaving a toy Santa in charge of the workshop, Scott embarks on a quest to help Charlie and find a soulmate before he is "de-Santafied."\nAllen is funny as the single-father Santa, shining with smart quips throughout the film. Elizabeth Mitchell offers warmth and depth through her portrayal of Charlie's principal, a bitter ex-Santa believer who becomes intrigued by Scott's passion for Christmas. Molly Shannon has a comical cameo as one of Scott's potential wives. It's great to see the original cast reunited after eight years, including Judge Reinhold as Charlie's sweater-lovin', psychiatrist step-father, Neil.\nOkay, so this movie is big-time cheesy. It's packed full of heart-warming tales of believing, although it lacks the luster and simplicity of the original. Instead of keeping the plot cute and simple, the filmmakers attempt to complicate the story by adding a bizarre plot line -- the toy Santa turns the workshop into a twisted dictatorship. It's too dark for the movie and needs less emphasis. Charlie's "crimes" are laughable at best; he tags school property in protest of Principal Newman's anti-Christmas administration -- one of Santa's rebels, I guess.\nYes, it's cheesy. No, it won't be up for any Oscars. But this movie succeeds as a comical Christmas film for the family. If you enjoyed the original or just want to feel the warm and fuzzy Christmas spirit right down to your big toe, go see "The Santa Clause 2"