“Fred Claus,” review by Susan Granger

It’s like Christmas coming early with this heart-warming gift of a movie, a Santa story you’ve never heard before.

Since his baby brother, Nicholas, was born, uttering the word, “Ho,” instead of crying, Fred Claus (Vince Vaughn) has been living in his shadow, hearing his mother’s (Kathy Bates) constant refrain: “Why can’t you be more like your brother?”

Indeed, Nicholas was so good that he achieved sainthood – meaning neither he nor his family ever aged. And, like many unhappy children, Fred became angry and naughty.

Now living in Chicago, Fred has become a ‘repo’ man, trying to start his own off-track betting establishment and get back in the good graces of his long-suffering girl-friend, Wanda (Rachel Weisz). When he calls his brother for a loan, Nicholas (Paul Giamatti) agrees to help Fred only if he’ll come to the North Pole and work in Santa’s Toy Shop.

Meanwhile, with a month to go, the stress of Christmas is increasing – and an evil efficiency expert (Kevin Spacey) has been dispatched to oversee this year’s preparations. The Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny are endangered – and out-sourcing toy production to the South Pole is under consideration, shutting down Santa’s Workshop permanently.

Set in the Christmas environment, writer Dan Fogelman (“Cars”) and director David Dobkin (“Wedding Crashers”) have fashioned an often-amusing sibling rivalry situation, utilizing wry cameos from other underachieving, once-resentful brothers like Frank Stallone, Roger Clinton and Stephen Baldwin.

Vince Vaughn plays the comedy with pathos, and Paul Giamatti shows the depth of Santa Claus’ vulnerability. While the supporting roles are formulaic, the visual effects are imaginative, particularly the Snow Globe and Naughty/Nice Department. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Fred Claus” is a sentimental 7. It’s a bright holiday package filled with pure enjoyment.