ESC is surprisingly enjoyable, lightweight Christmas fare, but the humour is occasionally too silly, witness Ernest's taxicab dash to the airport with a catatonic businessman in the back. At times like this, it's likely to appeal more to children.
The storyline is like a cross between Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and The Santa Clause (1994.) Father Christmas is searching for a replacement and before long he's thrown in a cell because the townsfolk think he's insane. Ernest and a young runaway named Harmony Starr (Noelle Parker, no seriously!) set out to rescue Santa. The actors make a likable team; with great chemistry together.
Ernest portrays a snake wrangler and an old woman. Best not to ask where he gets his outfits! Or where homeless girl, Harmony found her schoolgirl uniform! The special effects have held up well over the years, with the sleigh in flight SFX particularly good. Undemanding festive fun.
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DIRECTED BY: John R Cherry III. SCREENPLAY BY: Ed Turner, B Kline. RUNNING TIME: 95 minutes. CERTIFICATE: U / G. USA.
