As with many trilogies, the first one is usually the best, but I will always try to avoid comparing them too much to allow myself to appreciate the merits as an individual film. This is probably the most frustrating of all Christmas films (in my humble opinion). On the whole, it is a fantastic film, and yet it is ruined by one of the main plots!

The storyline about Santa losing his magic and needing to find a wife within 28 days is great as the main storyline. This gives Santa a chance to go back to the "real world" of Scott Calvin, away from the North Pole. It gives him a chance to meet up with his son Charlie, who is now a teenager, and becoming a naughty boy, spray painting and vandalising his school. Charlie's storyline is quite irritating and upsetting for those of us who have grown to love him from the first one. However, his behaviour is explained in the film... He's frustrated keeping his Dad's secret for so long, and that's why he feels so upset with anyone who disrespects Christmas... like his school. (I know how he feels. Our deccy doo-dars are STILL not up, and it's the 8th December!! I'm gonna be having serious words with my family.)
Charlie does finally see the error of his ways and in many ways, becomes the hero of the film. So I'm quite relieved with how that storyline pans out.

Finding a good wife before Christmas Eve gives the film some lovely romantic moments between Scott Calvin and his future Mrs Clause. It's perfectly acted on both sides, and they make a fairly unreal story seem quite believable. (The nature of all good fantasy films.)

While Santa's away, it all goes downhill at the Factory back in the North Pole. In order to keep the Elves happy, Curtis (an Elf) has cloned Santa and made a robot version of him. The robot quickly becomes too big for his boots and forces all Elves to start making coal, as every child has been naughty in his opinion. This is where the film fails. I don't mind silliness and I'm usually the first to be silly. But this clone is so irritating, as if we're not annoyed enough by Charlie's behaviour!

I understand that something had to go wrong at the Factory to give the Elves more of a story. However it would've made more sense if Santa had simply asked one of the Legendary Characters (that already appear in the film) to look after the Factory for him, and then they turn too big for their boots. He should've asked Father Time (who was played by Peter Boyle. He would make a good, and comical baddie anyway!) Incidentally, Peter Boyle has a part in the first film as Scott Calvin's boss, but I don't think we're supposed to notice that!
I do like the idea of making huge toy soldiers to battle against the Elves though. As a Laurel and Hardy fan, I wonder if that was taken from their film "Babes In Toyland", where the same thing happens?

This film certainly doesn't have the magic that the first film had, but on the whole, it is still an excellent film with some very touching moments. It's a pity it's slightly ruined by one of the main characters. The first film can be watched year after year. This film is worthy of watching four times at the most.