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Overall Rating : 5/10
Directed By : David Steiman
Bill Goldberg (Professional Wrestling, The Longest Yard)
Emilie de Ravin (The Hills Have Eyes(2006), Lost (TV) )
Douglas Smith (Hangman's Curse)
Robert Culp (The Dead Zone (TV) )
Rebecca Gayheart (Urban Legend)
Supplied By : Lionsgate Films
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : Feb. 8, 2006
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| PLOT One thousand years after losing a bet with an angel that conscripted him to a millennium of cheer and generosity, Santa, who is in reality a demon, is off the hook and returning to his evil ways. The reign of terror that follows is battled by high schooler Nick --whose grandfather happens to have been the angel who won the bet--and his girlfriend, Mac. |
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| THE REVIEW All of our lives we hear stories about a jolly fat guy in a red suit, always joyous and happy. This does get your curiosity flowing and you would probably doubt that someone could ever be that happy all the time, well SANTA'S SLAY is a dark and comedic look at the very side of Santa we have always wondered about. It turns out that 1,000 years ago, Santa( who is later revealed as the son of Satan) challenges an angel to a rock sliding contest. Should Santa win he would then send the angel up to his father Satan for punishment, however, should the angel win, Santa's "season of slaying" would cease for approximately 1,000 years and Santa would have to act in a joyful manner. That 1,000 years is now up and Santa is once again on the loose killing all who are in his way.....particularly in the town of Hell's Township. Among the brave few that will stand and fight against Santa are Nick Yuleson, his tomboyish girlfriend Mary "Mac" Mackenzie and his Christmas-wise Grandpa, who happens to be revealed as the very angel that placed the wager against Santa those many years earlier. Now I know I am rather late and it is not Christmas time, but I thought i'd check this one out anyway. The story of SANTA'S SLAY is a fairly clever one, the concept of Santa having a hidden identity is just hilarious, it is approached here more comedic but I think it would have been much more suited for a dark and serious film. But as you probably know, there have been countless other Santa slasher films, all of which have never taken themselves to seriously, this would be no exception. This film does have it's funny moments, whether it be Fran Drescher's hair catching on fire, Rebecca Gayheart taking a club to the face or a Police captain named Caulk, it will indeed have you laughing a little. Originally slated for a theatrical release, I can now see why it didn't make it to no more than a dvd release. The production is high yes- but there is just something about it that gives off that cable tv movie feeling no matter how many recognizable names this film may have. The acting here is a mixed affair. Bill Goldberg is good as the evil Santa and gets to show off a few of his attributes by performing his own stunts. Still not perfect though, much like many athletes who make the transition. Douglas smith, who I last saw in HANGMAN'S CURSE was ok at Nick Yuleson the brave grandson, but a little too unbelievable when it came to his shyness around his girlfriend Mac. Next is Emilie de Ravin, I have recently become a fan of LOST and I really enjoy here character on there, as she is a great actress. She is great here as well, but I cannot help but to miss her natural Australian speaking accent....in SANTA'S SLAY, her dialect sounds like a cross between a character in FARGO and a Minnesotan. While watching the film you will notice a bunch of cameos you may recognize...this deserves honorable mention as well. SANTA'S SLAY offers us a crude version of Santa that is quite funny and works really well. Some of the jokes present here are lude and vulgar and I could never guess how this made it to SpikeTV when it aired, seeing how this isn't overly explicit but it would be just enough to push the limits of sometimes overly sensitive networks. |
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| GORE
METER 5/10 some of the gore is great, as Santa is equipped when a wide assortment of weapons, from exploding gift boxes to him spitting fireballs. We have candy cane impalements, the snapping of one's neck and more. |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 6/10 we have some up-tempo Christmassy songs as well as a Christmas laced score. I loved how on some of the scenes involving Bill Goldberg. they snuck in his "Invasion" theme song in which he used when he was a professional wrestler. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM Not as good as I had hoped it to be, but funny and entertaining nonetheless. I would recommend this as it may become a holiday favorite for years to come for some. |
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